The Coolidge examiner., 1936-05-15

20:15.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Visit From
Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Why Jesus Wis.,
tied Zacchaeus.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
1t Means to Be Hon
est.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
Religion Into My
Business.
Jesus entered and was passing
Jericho" ". y, one of the
most noted cities of Bible history.
1t had been the stronghold of the
standing squarely across
the Jordan, taken by the marching
pitcher-bearers of Joshua (Josh. g.,
the city where Rahab experienced
through her faith (Heb.
II :11-3D. 1t was fitting that Jesus
should pass through the Jericho of
his own day, for a new victory was
to be experienced through faith
the conversion of ZacchaeuS.
|. Zacchaeus Seeking Jesus wv.
2-4).
This man, a tax-cOllectOr for the
Roman power, had heard that Jesus
was kind to publicans; for had he
not had mercy on Matthew? Curios-
ity seized him; he must see what
manner of man Jesus was. Who
can know how many have been led
to find Christ through the exercise
of curiosity. The citizens of city
are drawn to a church or a taber-
nacle through the growing interest
of revival campaign. Curiosity
widens, becoming the initial motive
in many who later have faith In
Christ to the saving of their souls.
l. His difficulties wv. 2, 81. His
infamous business was a handicap,
at least in the eyes of the populace.
The very fact that Jew should
hold office under the hated Roman
power would make him extremely
unpopular. His riches condemned
him. The fact that he had acquired
much wealth in this calling pointed
to extortion in the collection of
taxes He was unpopular; he was
pushed aside.
The shOrtness of his stature (v.
81 was a handicap, but not so great
a one as his spiritual state He
doubtless had been pushed about
much of his life and had built up
an attitude of mind that now mani
tested itself.
2. His persistence ". ~ stood
him in good stead. If too short to
see, he was not too timid to climb.
He had been obliged to climb all his
life. Always obstacles placed be-
fore him he had brushed aside, or
had climbed over them, if a desired
goal lay beyond. Now, the goal was
a sight of Jesus, and he climbed.
Though the rich man of town, he
would not let pride keep him from
the undignified act of getting up
among the branches of yonder tree,
for Jesus was to pass by.
II. Jesus Finding Zacchaeus (vv.
5, g..
While Zacchaeus was trying to
see Jesus, Jesus was looking for
him, as always he is looking for the
seeking cOul. With no word that
would embarrass or humiliate him,
Jesus bade him come down from
the tree, and declared his intention
to go with him to his home. How
wonderful is grace, that regardless
Of ones past life. Jesus will receive
the seeker as a friend and enter
into fellowship with him. Zac-
chaeuS did not hesitate, but made
haste to come down, and with joy
opened his door to the new-fOund
Friend.
III. Zacchaeus' Conversion wv.
7-10).
His conversion was sudden and
thorough. He was converted before
he reached the ground. Conversion
may always be sudden, when con-
ditions are fully met.
l. What the crowd said ". y was
characteristic; they murmured and
said that Jesus had gone to be
guest of a man who is sinner.
They could not think of his sin in
the past tense, but said is instead
of was Jesus forgives and fOrgets.
He "came to seek and save that
which was lost" and he "remem-
bers our sins against us no more
forever"
2. The proof of conversion ". 81
was immediate and satisfying. His
new life was begun with resolution
and restitution. He dedicated half
his goods to the poor. If he before
had been CRATER, he was now
generous giver. He was ready to
untangle the skein Of tax irregular
tiles. While God fOrgets the past,
he nevertheless expects the forgiven
sinner to make restitution where
possible.
W. Honesty in Gods House (vv.
454S).
If honesty must be eXacted from
publicans and sinners, much more
should it be required Of those who
have to do with the worship of God.
1t is easy to condemn those who
made capital out of the require