the desire of ages-第130章
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ced self…denial on their account； He went before them to smooth the more difficult places； and soon He would consummate His work on earth by laying down His life。 The principle on which Christ acted is to actuate the members of the church which is His body。 The plan and ground of salvation is love。 In the kingdom of Christ those are greatest who follow the example He has given； and act as shepherds of His flock。
The words of Paul reveal the true dignity and honor of the Christian life： 〃Though I be free from all men； yet have I made myself servant unto all；〃 〃not seeking mine own profit； but the profit of many； that they may be saved。〃 1 Cor。 9：19； 10：33。
In matters of conscience the soul must be left untrammeled。 No one is to control another's mind； to judge for another； or to prescribe his duty。 God gives to every soul freedom to think； and to follow his own convictions。 〃Every one of us shall give account of himself to God。〃 No one has a right to merge his own individuality in that of another。 In all matters where principle is involved； 〃let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind。〃 Rom。 14：12； 5。 In Christ's kingdom there is no lordly
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oppression； no compulsion of manner。 The angels of heaven do not come to the earth to rule； and to exact homage； but as messengers of mercy； to co…operate with men in uplifting humanity。
The principles and the very words of the Saviour's teaching； in their divine beauty； dwelt in the memory of the beloved disciple。 To his latest days the burden of John's testimony to the churches was； 〃This is the message that ye heard from the beginning； that we should love one another。〃 〃Hereby perceive we the love of God； because He laid down His life for us： and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren。〃 1 John 3：11； 16。
This was the spirit that pervaded the early church。 After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit； 〃the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul： neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own。〃 〃Neither was there any among them that lacked。〃 〃And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus： and great grace was upon them all。〃 Acts 4：32； 34； 33。
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Chapter 61
Zacchaeus
On the way to Jerusalem 〃Jesus entered and passed through Jericho。〃 A few miles from the Jordan； on the western edge of the valley that here spread out into a plain； the city lay in the midst of tropic verdure and luxuriance of beauty。 With its palm trees and rich gardens watered by living springs； it gleamed like an emerald in the setting of limestone hills and desolate ravines that interposed between Jerusalem and the city of the plain。
Many caravans on their way to the feast passed through Jericho。 Their arrival was always a festive season； but now a deeper interest stirred the people。 It was known that the Galilean Rabbi who had so lately brought Lazarus to life was in the throng； and though whispers were rife as to the plottings of the priests； the multitudes were eager to do Him homage。
Jericho was one of the cities anciently set apart for the priests； and at this time large numbers of priests had their residence there。 But the city had also a population of a widely different character。 It was a great center of traffic； and Roman officials and soldiers； with strangers from different quarters； were found there； while the collection of customs made it the home of many publicans。
〃The chief among the publicans；〃 Zacchaeus； was a Jew； and detested by his countrymen。 His rank and wealth were the reward of a calling
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they abhorred； and which was regarded as another name for injustice and extortion。 Yet the wealthy customs officer was not altogether the hardened man of the world that he seemed。 Beneath the appearance of worldliness and pride was a heart susceptible to divine influences。 Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus。 The report of One who had borne Himself with kindness and courtesy toward the proscribed classes had spread far and wide。 In this chief of the publicans was awakened a longing for a better life。 Only a few miles from Jericho； John the Baptist had preached at the Jordan； and Zacchaeus had heard of the call to repentance。 The instruction to the publicans； 〃Exact no more than that which is appointed you〃 （Luke 3：13）； though outwardly disregarded； had impressed his mind。 He knew the Scriptures； and was convicted that his practice was wrong。 Now； hearing the words reported to have come from the Great Teacher； he felt that he was a sinner in the sight of God。 Yet what he had heard of Jesus kindled hope in his heart。 Repentance； reformation of life； was possible； even to him； was not one of the new Teacher's most trusted disciples a publican？ Zacchaeus began at once to follow the conviction that had taken hold upon him； and to make restitution to those whom he had wronged。
Already he had begun thus to retrace his steps； when the news sounded through Jericho that Jesus was entering the town。 Zacchaeus determined to see Him。 He was beginning to realize how bitter are the fruits of sin； and how difficult the path of him who tries to return from a course of wrong。 To be misunderstood； to be met with suspicion and distrust in the effort to correct his errors； was hard to bear。 The chief publican longed to look upon the face of Him whose words had brought hope to his heart。
The streets were crowded； and Zacchaeus； who was small of stature； could see nothing over the heads of the people。 None would give way for him； so； running a little in advance of the multitude； to where a wide…branching fig tree hung over the way； the rich tax collector climbed to a seat among the boughs； whence he could survey the procession as it passed below。 The crowd comes near； it is going by； and Zacchaeus scans with eager eyes to discern the one figure he longs to see。
Above the clamor of priests and rabbis and the shouts of welcome from the multitude； that unuttered desire of the chief publican spoke to the heart of Jesus。 Suddenly； just beneath the fig tree； a group halts； the company before and behind come to a standstill； and One looks upward whose glance seems to read the soul。 Almost doubting his senses；
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the man in the tree hears the words； 〃Zacchaeus； make haste； and come down； for today I must abide at thy house。〃
The multitude give way； and Zacchaeus； walking as in a dream； leads the way toward his own home。 But the rabbis look on with scowling faces； and murmur in discontent and scorn； 〃that He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner。〃
Zacchaeus had been overwhelmed； amazed； and silenced at the love and condescension of Christ in stooping to him； so unworthy。 Now love and loyalty to his new…found Master unseal his lips。 He will make public his confession and his repentance。
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In the presence of the multitude； 〃Zacchaeus stood； and said unto the Lord； Behold； Lord； the half of my goods I give to the poor； and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation； I restore him fourfold。
〃And Jesus said unto him； This day is salvation come to this house； forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham。〃
When the rich young ruler had turned away from Jesus； the disciples had marveled at their Master's saying； 〃How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God！〃 They had exclaimed one to another； 〃Who then can be saved？〃 Now they had a demonstration of the truth of Christ's words； 〃The things which are impossible with men are possible with God。〃 Mark 10：24； 26； Luke 18：27。 They say how； through the grace of God； a rich man could enter into the kingdom。
Before Zacchaeus had looked upon the face of Christ； he had begun the work that made him manifest as a true penitent。 Before being accused by man； he had confessed his sin。 He had yielded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit； and had begun to carry out the teaching of the words written for ancient I
