Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-06-11

The first section OF our lesson is the
beginning OF new paragraph (see
r. VI and contains one of the Mas
ter's best-known parallels. lmmedi-
ately preceding this is the parable OF
the unjust judge and the importunate
widow We are plainly told ~ 81
why the Master spake this parable.
1t is easy to say that those who trust
ed In their own righteousness and set
all others at naught" Or. W were the
Pharisees, but such is not the case;
and this parable is warning to US,
lest we also trust our own righteous
ness lisa. 64:6). Using this particu-
lar class as background, Jesus
paints, in words of simple grandeur,
picture quite familiar throughout the
ages. In it he reveals the falseness OF
human standards and declares the
judgment of heaven. The contrast Is
vivid. Let us look at a. the Phari-
see. The illuminating phrase is in the
words The prayed with himself"
". III. Ostentatiously the Pharisees
separated themselves from their fell
low men and this separation seems to
have extended even into his prayer
life, and he is withdrawn from God
also. This Is an appalling picture.
of the man who trusts only himself.
Examine his prayer and we see the
supposed prayer is really paean Of
self-exaltation.
Humility of Heart.
(2) The Publican regarded himself
as 1.-THE sinner (v. 10 R. v. marg).
He knew he was a great, an irrelig-
ious offender against law and grace.
He had sacrificed everything to ac-
quire money. He comes with no out
ward show except an abundant evil
dence of the shame and humility of
his heart. He also was excluded from
men bat not from God. Burdened
with the sense of fis sin. he casts him
self upon the mercy of God. He is
absolutely devoid of any trust in him
self, any contempt for others, and
makes straight, earnest, passionate
abandonment of himself and his need
to God. He goes away justified"
Judged right. Why? Because he
had taken the right place. a sinners
place before God, and found pardon.
II. The Second Section is story
and deals with an individual case, FAC
cheus, who was chief Publican"
Jesus sought him (see Golden Text.
whereas zaccheus was animated by
curiosity, and the writer informs us
he was small of stature, hence the
necessity of climbing the sycamore
tree. He went up the tree because
of curiosity, he came down because
of conviction. He wanted to see this
man in the center Of the crowd and
was amazed to hear Jesus call him by
name.
Must Yield Wealth.
Zaccheus was rich. dishonest, dissat-
isfied, but desperately in earnest. and
a man of prompt decision The esti-
nation Of his fellow-citizens is indi-
Gated by v. Z. Notwithstanding all of
this zaccheus was not SO welded to
his money as to let it keep him out
Of the kingdom. In chapter Is we
read of the rich man who lacked one
thing" He was lost-"went away
because he would not yield his wealth
(see also 1926, 30. What took place
within the house of Zaccheus we are
not told, but for the Master to enter
was looked upon either as amazing
ignorance of Zaccheus' character or
else extreme carelessness concerning
the maintenance of his own character.
Jesus was dealing with one man, not
the multitude, hence he leaves them to
their amazement While this is true,
yet we can surmise something of that,
interview by the result ". 81 for Zac,
cheus seems to have made q public
avowal of his ethical and moral
change of heart. Note the steps:
a. He sought to see Jesus" John
3:14. Is; lisa. 1922. (2) He was very
much in earnest, climbed a sycamore
tree" Luke 1924 (S) He made no
delay, make haste" Isa- 55:6. The
result was that of great blessing to
the people and Joy in the heart of
Zaccheus. ~ He was obeGient, Joy
ously and promptly. The genuineness
by the way 1t affected his pocketbook.
He made abundant restitution and
gave bountifully to the poor. The
love of God shed abroad In the heart
OF q miserly. selfish man or church
will promote honesty both to Gcd and
man.
From the combined parable and
story we can read the lesson that Je.
sus is the friend OF sinners and not
OF SIM
Thus the friend of sinners seeks and
saves men. He sees the acts and the
attitude OF men and is ready to justify
those whose attitude is that of humil-
lty and supplication. He seeks men
even as he sought zaccheus, and as
he saves he produces in them those
fruits Of RICH. eousness which are the
evidence and demonstration of their
salvation. Tie scribes and the Pbari.