April 1931
170
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There was a double reason for this : first, the fact that this was the regular highway ; and second, that Jesus was always seek ing sinners, and a very needy sinner was to be found on that road (cf. John 4:4). II. A Seeking Saviour (5). When Jesus came to the place. The heart of the Lord Jesus was as eager as that of Zacchaeus. His divine foreknowl edge would tell Him that Zacchaeus was there (cf. John 1:48). Make haste, and come down. This sinner had probably had very little kindness shown him by his neighbors in that city. His- name was cast out as evil by his fellow Countrymen. The kindly word, received so unexpected ly from the Lord Jesus, must have had instant effect upon him. Today I must abide at thy house. The Lord Jesus must go into that home because He had come V. 6. He made haste. Things were moving rapidly that day. Zacchaëiis had made haste down the highway to find a place to see Jesus. . He was bidden to “make haste and come down” from the tree. We may imagine that he fairly tumbled out of the tree to come to Jesus. Received him joyfully. That this Man who was popularly believed to be the Mes siah should thus publicly honor one who was despised by all of his countrymen lift ed Zacchaeus to a new sense of self-re spect and joy. V. 7. They all murmured. The word “all” shows how general and deep-seated was the feeling not only against Zacchaeus but against any one who would show ,a kindness to a publican. It is significant that the Lord Jesus at this time, when the multitudes were ready to acclaim Him as Messiah, braved the hostility of all and particularly of the leaders of the people (cf. Matt. 9:11-13). Lodge with . . . a sinner. This was an old charge (cf. 5: 20; 7:34, 39; 15:2).. V. 8. Zacchaeus stood. The verb means “took his position.” It suggests that he arose with quiet dignity, in the presence of all, to state his case. Half o f my goods I give. Some commentators take the view that this describes the past conduct of Zacchaeus ; that is, that he habitually had given half of his goods to the poor. In favor of this view is the present tense of the Greek verb. But against this in terpretation it may bé argued that Zac chaeus could riot have remained rich if he had followed such a practice. Further more, his reference to taking anything “wrongfully” is against this view. Be side all this, such an attitude would not suggest any penitence on the part of the taxgatherer. It seems best, therefore, to hold to the common view that Zacchaeus took his stand and declared that in the future he would give not only the half of the fortune already gained but half of to seek and to save the lost. III. A Saved Sinner (6-9).
through it.” The suggestion is that the objective toward which Jesus was press ing was Jerusalem. He had set His face
May 3, 1931 Jesus in the Home of Zacchaeus Lesson : Luke 19:1-10. Golden Text'. “The Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10). * * * L esson in O utline I. A Seeking Sinner (1-4). 1. The place—Jericho (1). 2. The seeker-S-Zacchaeus (2). a. A “chief publican.” t, b. A rich publican. 3. His post of observation ■ (3, 4). II. A Seeking Saviour (5). 1. Looking for Zacchaeus. 2. Calling Zacchaeus. 3. Inviting Zacchaeus to fellowship. III. A Saved Sinner (6-9). 1. He received the Lord (6). 2. He endured criticism for Christ’s sake (7). 3. He gave proofs of his salvation ( 8 ). 4. He was acknowledged by the Sav iour (9). IV. The Saviour’s Method (10). A pproach - to the L esson ROTH Matthew and Mark place the en- try of Jesus into Jerusalem immediate ly after the healing of blind Bartimaeus. Luke supplies the information that after that miracle Jesus stopped at Jericho for at least, one day. From John (12:1-11) we learn that He also spent a time, at least one night, at Bethany. Jericho, the city of palm trees (Deut. 34:3; Judg. 1:16), was about six miles from the Jordan and fifteen miles from Jerusalem. From a point opposite this city, Moses viewed Canaan (Deut. 34:1). When the city was destroyed by Joshua, the site was cursed (Josh. 6:26). In the reign of Ahab, the city began to be re built, the builder suffering the curse (1 Ki, 16:34). In New Testament times, Jericho' had become a large and wealthy city. Jesus had come from Perea and was moving toward Jerusalem. The whole countryside was astir because of the. hope of many that Messiah’s kingdom was about to be manifested. i Great crowds were thronging the highways, going up to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover. Under such conditions, Jesus appeared in Jericho and was at once surrounded by an eager and excited throng. * * * H eart of the L esson I. A Seeking Sinner (1-4). :V. 1. Passing through Jericho. Liter ally, “having entered Jericho, was passing 1. Seeking the lost. 2. Saving the lost. * * *
s te a d fa s tly to go there to finish His work (cf. Lk. 9:51). He found time to tarry at Jericho be cause there was a seeking sinn er in that city who needed him.
V. 2. Called by name Zacchaeus. The Hebrew Zakkai means “pure.” His name indicates that he was of Jewish stock. Chief among the publicans. Because of its position near the bor.der and in close proximity to the fords of the Jordan, Jericho must have been an important Ro man post for the collection of tribute. Furthermore, Jericho was on an impor tant trade route across southern Palestine, which would bring many travelers. We may suppose therefore that Zacchaeus, as chief of the taxgatherers, superintended the collection of revenue over a consider able district which required him to have other publicans under his authority. And he was rich. Rome exacted certain def inite sums from the taxgatherers, and they were permitted to gather as much more as they could for their own profit. This system led to great oppression of the help less people. V. 3. Sought to see Jesus. Doubtless, he had heard much about the great Teach er and Miracle-Worker. He must have been interested, too, in the reports that Jesus was especially kind and sympathetic toward men of his profession. But whether he was moved by sorrow for sin or merely by curiosity to make earnest effort to see Jesus, it is impossible to determine. Who he was. This might be read: “What sort of person he was.” Could not for the crowd. Crowds are apt to get between seeking sinners and the Lord Jesus (cf. Mk. 2:1-5). Little of stature. This was an added handicap. His earnestness is seen in his determinar tion to overcome every difficulty. V. 4. He ran on before. There may have been but one main street in Jericho, which was the regular thoroughfare- for travelers through the city. Zacchaeus could readily find a suitable point of van-; tage where he would be sure to see Jesus. Climbed up into a sycomore tree. This was a species of fig, or fig-mulberry. Its wide-spreading branches near the ground made it possible for Zacchaeus to find a place of elevation without much climb ing. He forgot his dignity that day. Perr haps he argued that his reputation in the city could not be any worse than it already had become. Real earnestness, whatever its source, made him forget everything and everybody, that he might get a glimpse of the great Teacher. Was to pass that way. That is; He had to pass that way.
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