c~owd, his curiosity prompted him to lrnve a look at him if possible; but, being little ot stature, he. could not from the ground obtain the view he wished. Accordingly he ran before, clnnbed up into a sycnmore tree, one of whose branches it has been supposed ma)- have extended across the road, and, perched upon this, he awaited the advent of Jesus. How ast_onished he must_ have_ been to find Jesus pausing below his perch, lookmg up, nammg him, and telling him, "Zacchmus, make haste, and come <1own; for to-day I must abide at thy house" I Thus invited, he came down with all haste, and received Christ joyfully. Don btless the Pharisees will murmur at Christ becomill" the pu blicau's guest; but what does it matter when Zacchams is gathered into th~ kingdom of God, makes his declaration about futnre conduct, and receives the Lord's ,i~surance of being Abraham's son? Let us notice the points of interest as they present themselves in this case. 1. ZAcCH.iEUS IS"EEDED A SA vrouR. For success is not sufficient for any man. Ile needs besides, salrntion from sin, that is, from selfishness, and often from success itself. It is well when even curiosity leads a man to the Saviour, and to a sense of his greu.t need. Zacchmus's case is instructive for us all. Hill need of a Saviour ought to emphasize our need. 11. His H_n,'DRANCES IN SEEKING THE SAVIOUR. .And of these we shall only mention thre_e. 1. Bis riches. These are often a great hindrance to souls. They compete with Christ as a ground of trust. Men are tempted to trust in uncertain riches instead of in the living God. Zacchmus had, however, got over this hindrance, and, rich man though he was, he was not ashamed to climb the sycamore to get a sight of Jesus. 2. His business. For the tax-farming had been denounced and excommunicated by the Jewish authorities, so that Zacchreus, because of his business, did not enjoy the means of grace in the measure and amount he might otherwise have done. Jesus had, how- ever, overcome this hindrance by his own manly and merciful policy, and insisted on associating with publicans and sinners to save them. Every one should ask himself the question, ho~'ever, if his business is a hiDdrauce or a help to his salvation. Can we ask Christ to meet us in it and save us in it? or can we only expect him to save us from it? 3. His physical state. His stature hindered him for a time from seeing Jesus, as the physical state of others often hinders them. But when one is thoroughly in earuest, he can overcome all hindrances as Zacchmus did by climbing the sycamore. Hindrances may be changed by energetic action into helps and spiritual gains. ill SALVATION MEANS HEARTFELT SYMPATHY WITH A PERSONAL SAVIOUR. For salvation comes to us clothed in loving personality, and the advent of Jesus to our sou.ls, as in the case of Zacchreus, is the advent of salvation. What we are asked in the gospel to do is to trust a Person, and to accept of safety in his blessed society. There is no abstract and confusing process to be passed through, but a concrete and real fellowship to be entered on and enjoyed. IV. Tmi: SAVED SOUL PROVES ms SALVATION BY LIBERALITY AND RESTITUTION, As soon as Zacchmus enters into sympathy with Christ, he makes a public profession. Here is his resolve deliberately ma.de to Christ," Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wrongfully exacted aught of any man, I restore fo_ur- fold" (Revised Version). His riches are now to be made a means of grace, enablmg him, in the first place, liberally to make restitution to all wronged ones; and secondly, to dedicate largely to the poor. Contact with Christ has opened his heart and made him open-handed. Murmuring Pharisees might restrict their ostentatiolll! almRgiving to a tenth, but converted Zacchreus will dedicate a half to the wants of the poorl A rich man may thus make his wealth the basis of princely generosity, and reap a reward in the gratitude of God's poor people. V. JESUS GIVES ZACCH.IEUS A BLESSED ASSUBAIS"CE OF SONBHIP. For Zacchmus, if originally a Jew, had forfeited through his tax-gathering his position in the Jewish Church. No longer would the Jewi~h authorities regard him as_ a s?n o~ .Abr~h_am or heir of the promises. But Jesus mterposes and remstates him rn hie P?Slt!o_n of privilege. He declares before the guests that Zacchmus has been saved by his v1s1t to his house and that this salvation-visit is because the publican is also a son of Abraham. In this b~autiful way the selecting love of God in Christ is set before the_ people and the assurance of .Abrahamic sonship conveyed to the new convert. It ~s thus the Lord comforts those who trust in him. 011. xrx. 1-48.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 163
VI. CnmBT TIIUS DEMONSTP.ATES ms MISSION TO AEr:K AND SAVE Tirn LOST. Not by the parables of the fifteenth chapter merely does he demonstrate the merciful character of his mission, but also by such a missionary act as the salvation of Zacchreus. .As "the Son of man" be is interested in the welfare of bis race, and finds in the lost the epbore of bis gracious operation. It is thus he comfortA the lost ones, by enabling them to see that they are tho proper objects of his compasaion.-R. M. E.