The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-10
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The Friend of Sinners
S:9-14; 19:1-1O-Jnne IA.

Luke 1S:9-14; 19:1-1O-Jnne IA.
 T came not to call the righteous. but sinners. Mark 2-t7
 The parable of our lesson shows us the heart attitude of some of the Pharisees and of some of the despised publicans Both men went up to the temple to pray The one said in his heart, How thank ful l am that l am not a sinner like the majority of men and like this poor publi- can! l thank God that l am a Pharisee that am righteousr' The publican felt differently. The weight of sin was upon him. He could not look up to heaven. Striking his hand on his bosom, he ex- claimed, God be merciful to me, sin nerr'
 From Gods standpoint, both men were sinners and needed forgiveness But the one trusted in his own imperfect works, and asked no forgiveness; the other realized his blemishes and prayed for mercy. We are not to get the impression from this that God is more pleased with people who live in sin than with those who strive to the best of their ability to live in harmony with His law. The les son is to the contrary. We must all realize that we come short of perfection, and that we need Divine mercy The sin ner who recognizes this is more pleasing to God and nearer forgiveness than the more moral person who fails to see his blemishes.
 Jesus referred to this same error of the Pharsees at another time, saying, "The whole need not physician, and, Il to oan | ba fobt hut -i, to repentance" By these words He sought to call attention to the fact that although the Pharisees claimed to be righteous, they were not so Until they should learn that they and all other members of the fallen race were sin-siclx and needed the remedy which only the Redeemer can give, they were not in condition to come to the Lord for forgiveness Not realizing their need. the Pharisees did not come to Jesus, did not become His disciples; and thereby they missed great blessing. On the contrary, the majority of Jesus followers was made up of pub licans and sinners-people who had not been living proper lives, but who were earnest, who acknowledged their faults, turned from them and accepted the for giveness and healing of the Good Physi- clan.
 "A mdu--d DIE flcdIt The latter part of our lesson relates to Jesus journey from Jericho to Jerusalem, just prior to His crucifixion. Mutitudes were journeying in the same direction. go- ing up to the feast of the Passover. Jesus, as always was the center of attractions; all wanted to see and hear Him of whom we read, Never man spalSe like this man!"
 Zacchaeus a rich man of that vicinity, was one of those whose curiosity was aroused to see Jesus, of whom he had heard so much. He was not Pharisee; he dSd not profess holiness of life. He had accepted minor office under the Ro- man government; he was a tax collector for the Romans-a publican. On this ac- count he was despsed and declared to be disloyal to Judaism.
 Small of stature, Zacchaeus was unable to see Jesus because of the crowd. He therefore ran ahead and climbed a syca- more tree, that he might have good View of Jesus as He passed by. Little did he realize that the Master had read his heart and perceived in it honestly and that therefore he was to be greatly hon. ored When Jesus came where Zacchaeus was lie looked up at the publican and told him to come down at once, for lie was to be his guest. The summons was gladly received by Zacchaeus. and we may be sure that the whole circumstance was greatly to the disgust of the Phari- sees. They all murmured. remarking upon Jesus's becoming the guest of one not othodox.
 Evidently the murmuring reached the ears of Zacchaeus. too; for forthwith he addressed the Lord as though urging that these charges against him should not