The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-04-30
improved Uniform international
.Si11n2daySc|lool
' Lesson
,(By REV. P. B. FITZwATER, D. D.. Mem
Der of Faculty. Moody Bible Institute
of Chicagol
%, 1881, Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for May 3
JESUS IN THE HOME OF
ZACcHAEUS

EASSTIA6S0
LESSON TEXT-Luke 19:1-1o.
GOLDEN TEXT-For the Son OF Man
IL come to seek and to save that WHICH
was lost.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Jesus Makes
Bad Man Good.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Jesus Makes Fac
chaeus Want to Do Right.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Beginning a New Life.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT ToF-
TC-Repentance and Restitution.
I. Jesus Passing Through Jericho
~ y.
Jericho is noted as stronghold OF
the Canaanites which was miraculous
" delivered into the hands of Israel
in response to their faith, Joshua .,
and also for the faith Of Rahab which
saved her from destruction with the
city Heb. I'll BY. Two notorious SIN
ners, Rahab and Zacchaeus, were
saved at Jericho.
II. Zacchaeus Seeking Jesus wv. 2-G.
j. His object ". 81.
He sought to see who Jesus was.
He doubtless had heard Of Jesus kind
treatment of publicans, so was prompt
ed to see what kind Of a man he was
2. His difficulties wv. 2, -.
(D His infamous business ". y.
He was a tax collector Of the Roman
government. The very fact that
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 taxes.
By virtue of his traitorous act in &C.
cepting such an office from the Ro-
mans and his extortion in collecting
taxes. he was ostracized from society.
Many men have a hard time in COM
ing to Christ because Of their unpopu-
lar business relations.
(2) His shortness of stature ". -.
He was too small to crowd his way
through to Jesus, and being hated by
the people, they had thrust him aside,
no doubt, with taunts and jeers.
8. His persistence ". ~.
He ran before the multitude and
climbed up into tree. What he
lacked in stature he was determined
should be made up by the height of the
tree, Zacchaeus seems to have been
Of that temperament which knows no
defeat. The obstacles placed before
him he brushed aside; those he could
not brush aside he climbed over, his
heart set upon the goal.
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 Is
stirred up in a 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 go home with him.
Jesus called him by name, but did not
utter a word which would humiliate
Zacchaeus. Jesus knew his hearts de-
sire and dealt with him accordingly.
All souls who earnestly seek Jesus
shall be found of him. Zacchaeus
quickly responded. He came down,
and with Joy received Jesus. He act
ed wisely in that he did not hesitate.
A moments indecision and waiting
would have kept Zacchaeus from Jesus
from Jesus and salvation.
~. Zacchaeus' Conversion wv. 7-10).
His conversion was sudden and thor
ough. He was converted before he
reached the ground.
d. What the crowd said ". y.
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 a guest with
this notorious extortioner, the tax col
,lector. That for which they reproached
Jesus was his glory. His supreme mis-
sion was to save sinners ". 10Y.
2. What Zacchaeus said ". 81.
His conversion was thorough. It
took hold upon his heart. His new
life was begun with resolution and
restitution. He dedicated half Of his
goods to the poor. The man who lit
tie 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 the sinner
when lie comes to Christ, the sinner
who is converted will seek to make
right all wrongs, be they unkind words
or unrighteous deeds. Sorrow for sin
is not enough when restitution is pos
sible.
3. What Jesus said wv. 9, 10Y.
''Today is salvation come to thy
house." The publican was now q
child of God, son of Abraham. Sal
walton is present reality to those
who receive Jesus Christ.