Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-03-15
Jesus Passing Through Jerich

W ~.
Jericho is noted as the stronghold
the Canaanites, which was miracu-
0usly delivered into the hands of
srael in response to their faith Gosh.
D. and also for the faith of Rahab,
ghich saved her from destruction
nth the city (Heb. IL 80, 80.
II. zacchaeus Seeking Jesus wv.
by.
l. His Object ". 81. He sought to
lee who Jesus was. Though perhaps
}roRpted by curiosity he eagerly
soL MT Jesus. He doubtless had heard
bf Jesus kind treatment Of publicans,
30 was prompted to see what kind of
man He was.
u. His Difficulties Wv. 2, 81. ~
Ills infamous business (v. "a. He was
tax collector of the Roman govern
nent. The very fact that Jew held
zach an office under the hated Romans
you'd make him extremely unpopular.
Ehen since he was rich 1t was evident
fhat he had practiced extortion in eel
seting the taxes. ca His shortness
stature (v. 81 He. was too small to
browd his way through to Jesus, and
Being hated by the people they thrust
him aside. no doubt with taunts and
ieers. (3) His persistence ". a.. He
ban before the multitude and climbed
b. into tree, What he lacked in
aiure he was determined should be
iade upsby the height Of the tree OBJ
taclas placed before him he brushed
vide and those be coald not brush
Side nc climbed over, because he had
A his heart upon the goal Though
ehaeus' legs wore too short to en-
NJ HIM 70 see JeShs they were long
ough 10 run past the crowd and en-
le him to climb the tree 1t was
pmewhat undignifed. for this rich
pa to climb the tree but his soul
as SO DESTROYS to see Jesus that he
st his pride to the winds,
~ Jesus Finding zacchaeus (vvs
While zacchaeus was trying to see
sus, Jesus was looking for him. This
always the case, When Jesus saw
a he commanded him to come down
3ln the tree and declared his inten-
IN to go home with him. Zacchaeus
more than he expected. Jesus did
utter word which would humili-
Zacchaeus. Jesus knew his hearts
sire and dealt accordingly with him.
souls who earnestly seek Jesus
all be found Of Him. How wonder
His grace, that regardless of ones
list life, that Jesus will receive him
a friend and enter into fellowship
TIL him. Zacchaeus quickly respond
He came down and with joy re-
;ved Jesus.
Nv. Zacchaeus Conversion wv.
10Y.
HIS conversion was sudden and
trough. He was converted before
had reached the ground. It does
i take Jesus long to save soul.
II. What the Crowd Said ". y.
)ey said just what they say today
FAen sinners come to Christ They
aled to mind the mans former sins.
hey also reproached Christ, saying
ptorious extortioner, the tax collec-
r. His supreme mission was to save
nners ". 10Y. Jesus came not to
ndemn us, but to save us; not to
hame and destroy us, but to save
ON sin and reconcile us to God. our
ather.
2. What Zacchaeus Said w. 81. His
Inversion was thorough 1t took hold
pom his heart. His new life was be-
gun with resolution and restitution
He dedicated the half of his goods to
the poor. Ills conversion got hold Of
his pocketbook. His determination to
make restitution wherein he had
Wrongly exacted I taxes shows the
Ikenuineness of his conversion. While
Mood forgets the past of sinner when
he comes to Christ, the sinner who is
converted viii seek to make right all
rrongs, be they unknd words or I'M
righteous deeds.
rs. What jesus Said (vv. 8, 10). ITO
day is salvation come to thy house."
|LThe publican was now child of God,
a son Of Abraham. Salvation is d
|present reality when one receives