The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-11-27
Improved Uniform international
Sl119ldaySchool
' Lesson
(By REV. F. B. FITZwATER, D! D., Mem
Der of Faculty. Moody Bible Institute
of Chicago)
(6l, 1880. Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for November 80
ZAccHAEUS THE PUBLICAN, A
BUSINESS MAN CONVERTED

ZAccHAEuS THE PUBLICAN, A
BUSINESS MAN CONVERTED
LESSON TEXT-Luke 1910.
GOLDEN TEXT-For the Son of man
II come to seek and to save that which
was lost
PRIMARY TOPIC - A Man Who
Thought Jesus Would Not Care.
JUNIOR TOPIC-A Man Who Righted
His Wrongs.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR
ToPIC-How Religion Changes Ones
Life.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Making Business Christian.
!. Jesus Passing Through Jericho
". u.
Jericho is noted as the stronghold
Of the Canaanites. which was mirac-
ulously delivered into the hands Of
Israel in response to their faith
(Josh. g., and also for the faith Of
Rahab which saved her from destruc-
ton with the city (Heb. II 80, 81. 1t
was thus noted as city where faith
and unbelief played against each other.
It was fitting that Jesus should pass
through Jericho. Faith and unbelief
again were manifested. Two notorious
sinners, Rahab and Zacchaeus, were
saved at Jericho.
u. Zacchaeus Seeking Jesus wv.
2-4).
1. His object ". 81.
He sought to see who Jesus was.
Though perhaps prompted by curios-
fly, he eagerly sought Jesus.
2. His difficulties wv. 2, -.
ID His infamous business ". p.
He was a tax collector for the Ro-
man government. The very fact that q
Jew held such an office under the
hated Romans would make him ex-
tremely unpopular. Then, since he
was rich, it was evident that he had
practiced extortion in collecting the
taxes. Many men and women have q
hard time in coming to Christ because
Of their questionable business rela-
tons.
(2) His shortness of stature ". 81.
He was too small to crowd his way
through to Jesus, and being hated by
the people they had thrust him aside.
8. His persistence ". A..
He ran before the multitude and
in stature he was determined should
be made up by the height Of the tree.
Though Zacchaeus' legs were too short
to enable him to see Jesus they were
long enough to run past the crowd
and enable him to climb the tree.
III. Jesus Finding Zaechaeus wv.
s, 81. -
While Zacchaeus was trying to see
Jesus, Jesus was looking for him. This
is always the case. When desire 10
stirred up in heart to see Jesus,
Jesus is seeking that one. When Jesus
saw him he commanded him to come
down from the tree and declared his
intention to 60 home with him. Fac
cheus got more than he expected. Jesus
called him by name. He did not utter
a word which would humiliate Fac
chaeus. Jesus knew his hearts desire
and dealt accordingly with him. All
souls who earnestly seek Jesus shall
be found of him. How wonderful his
grace, that regardless Of ones past
life, Jesus will receive him as friend
and enter into fellowship with himl
Zacchaeus quickly responded. He came
down and with joy received Jesus.
Nv. Zacchaeus' Conversion wv. 7-1O).
His conversion was sudden and
thorough. He was converted before he
had reached the ground.
/. What the crowd said (v.7).
They said just what they say today
when sinners come to Christ. They
call to mind the mans former sins.
They also reproached Christ, saying
that he had gone to be guest Of this
notorious extortioner, the tax collector.
That for which they reproached Jesus
was his glory. His supreme mission
was to save sinners ". 10Y.
2. What Zacchaeus said ". 81.
His conversion was thorough. It
took hold upon his heart His new
life began with resolution and restitu-
ton. He dedicated half Of his goods
to the poor. The man who little
while ago was CRATER was now a
generous giver. His conversion got
hold of his pocketbook. His determi-
nation to make restitution wherein he
had wrongly exacted taxes shows the
genuineness of his conversion. While
God forgets the past of sinner when
he comes to Christ, the sinner who
is converted will seek to right all
wrongs, be they unkind words or I'M
righteous deeds. Sorrow for sin is not
enough when restitution is possible.
3. What Jesus said wv. 8, 10).
"Today is salvation come to thy
house" The publican was now a child
of God, a son of Abraham. Salvation
is a present reality when one re-
ceives Christ.