The Glenwood post., 1923-02-15


How Jesus Saved an Extortioner.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Christian Standards in Business.
I. Jesus Passing Through Jericho
". ~.
Jericho Is noted as the stronghold
of the Canaanites, which was miracu-
lousy delivered into the hands of
Israel in response to their faith (Josh.
81, and also for the faith of Rahab,
which saved her from destruction
with the city (Heb. II 80. 31).
IL. Zaeehaeus Seeking Jesus wv.
24).
1. His Object ". 81. He sought to
see who Jesus was Though perhaps
prompted by curiosity he eagerly
sought Jesus. He doubtless had heard
Of Jesus kind treatment of publicans,
so was prompted to see what kind of
a man He was.
2. His Difficulties wv. 2, 81. O
His infamous business ". 2l. He was
a tax collector Of the Roman govern
ment. The very fact that Jew held
such an office under the hated Romans
would make him extremely unpopular.
Then since he was rich it was evident
that he had practiced extortion in col
lecting the taxes. (2) His shortness
Of stature ". 81. He was too small to
crowd his way through to Jesus, and
being hated by the people they thrust
him aside no doubt with taunts and
jeers (3) His persistence ". ~. He
ran before the multitude and climbed
up into a tree. What he lacked in
stature he was determined should be
made up by the height of the tree. OBJ
stacles placed before him he brushed
aside and those he could not brush
aside he climbed over, because he had
set his heart upon the goal Though
Zacchaeus' legs were too short to en-
able him to see Jesus they were long
enough to run past the crowd and en-
able him to climb the tree. 1t was
somewhat undignified for this rich
man to climb the tree. but his soul
was so desirOus to see Jesus that he
cast his pride to the winds.
III. Jesus Finding Zacchaeus wv.
5, g..
While Zacchaeus was trying to see
Jesus, Jesus was looking for him. This
Is always the case. When Jesus saw
him he commanded him to come down
from the tree and declared his inten-
tion to go home with him. Zacchaeus
got more than he expected. Jesus did
not utter word which would humili-
ate Zacchaeus. Jesus knew his hearts
desire and dealt accordingly with him.
All souls who earnestly seek Jesus
shall be found of Him. How wonder
full His grace, that regardless of ones
past life, that Jesus will receive him
as a friend and enter into fellowship
with him. Zacchaeus quickly respond
ed. He came down and with joy re-
ceived Jesus.
~. Zacchaeus Conversion wv.
7-1O).
His conversion was sudden and
thorough. He was converted before
he had reached the ground. 1t does
not take Jesus long to save n soul.
1. What the Crowd Said ". y.
They said Just what they say today
when sinners come to Christ. They
called to mind the mans former sins.
They also reproached Christ, saying
that he had come to be n guest of this
notorious extortioner. the tax collec-
tor. His supreme mission was to save
sinners w. 10Y. Jesus came not to
condemn us, but TO save us; not to
shame and destroy us, but to save
from sin and reconcile us to God our
Father.
.. What Zacchaeus Said ". 81. His
conversion was thorough. 1t took hold
upon his heart. His new life was be-
gun with resolution and restitution.
He dedicated the half Of his goods to
the poor. His conversion got hold of
his pocketbook. His determination to
make restitution wherein he had
wrongly exacted taxes shows the
genuineness of his conversion. While
God forgets the pnst Of sinner when
he comes to Christ, the sinner who Is
converted will seek to make right all
wrongs, be they unEind words or un,
righteous deeds.
3, What Jesus Said wv. o, 10Y. ITO
day is salvation come to thy house '
The publican was now child Of God
son of Abraham. Salvation Is d
present reality when one receives
Christ.