November 28 — On the Conversion of Zacheus, Luke xix

Consider, first, how, when our Lord was walking through the city of Jericho, there was a man there nemed Zaeheus, who was he chief of the publicans, and he was rich; and he sought to see Jesus, who he was, and he could not for the crowd, because he was low of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a syca more tree, that he might see him; for he was to pass that way. See here, Christians, the first steps towards this wonderful conversion of a rich worldling; that is, of one of that sort of men, which is usually the most remote from the kingdom of God. First, he desired to see Jesus, who he was. Good desires are the first beginning of all our good; these incline us to seek to see Jesus, and to come at him by true wisdom, which consists in truly knowing him, what he is in himself, and what he is in regard to us. Now, the beginning of this true wisdom, as we learn from the Spirit of God in the Scriptures, is an earnest desire after it; and tnis is seekings like 2cheus, to see who Jesus is. Secondly, he was low of stature, and could not see Jesus yhr the crowd; and therefore he ran before and climbed up into a spru» more tree that he might see him; for he was to pass tfiat wap, 4.1a8! poor sinners, we are also low of stature through our unhappy weakness and manifold miseries; we are hindered from seeing Jesus, by the crowds that is, by the distractions, worldly solicitudes, disorderly affections of our hearts, and dissipation of thought, in which we live, and by the tumult of our passions; and therefore, in order to see and know him, we must get out of the crowd, by retirement and recollection of thought; we must run before, by a disengagement of our heart from worldly affections; we must climb up the sycamore (the name of which implies a silly fig tree,) by treading under our feet the false maxims of worldly wisdom and human respects, and embracing the maxims of the gospel, which the world calls foolishness. We must get above the heads of the worldly crowd, by climbing up the tree of the cross, which the world despises and abhors; and then we shall be able to know Jesus, and to contemplate him; for that is the way by which he passes.

Consider, secondly, that when Jesus came to the place, he look ed up and saw him, and said to him; Zacheus, make haste and come down; for tonday I must abide in thy house. And he made haste and came down, and received him with joy. And when they all saw it, they murmured, saying, that he was gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner. See here, Christians, how true that is of the wise man, (Wisdom vi. 13, 6lc.,) that wisdom is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her, and preventeth them that covet her, so that she first showeth herself unto them. Our Lord does not only suffer himself to be seen by this publican, but he looks up at him, he calls to him, to make haste and to come down to him; he even invites himself into his house to be his guest, and brings along with him salvation into that house. O, the happy consequences of seeking to see and to know Jesus, and of getting out of the crowd, into the sycamore tree, to contemplate him! But then we must also learn from the example of Zacheus, a ready correspondence with the grace of our Lord when he looks up and culls; we must not let him go away on this occasion; we roust make haste and come down to him without delay; we must accept of the favour of the visit he offers us with thankfulness; we must conduct him with joy 4nto our inward house; we must make him welcome there, by a proper entertainment of devotion and love; thus he will bring salvation with him to our house.

Consider, thirdly, what entertainment Zacheus offered to our lA)rd, when he had received him into his house; Behold, Lord, said he, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man if any thing, / restore him fourfold. He made c sacrifice to him upon the spot of his predominant passion, even of that love of the mammon of iniquity, which before had been his idol. He gave up at once all his worldly riches, which were so near his heart, to be employed either in alms, or in making restitution fourfold for all ill-gotten goods. He laid down all his sins at the feet of his Saviour, with a sincere detestation and repentance for them all, and a firm resolution to return to them no more, but to make the best satisfaction he could for them. Now', this was the most agreeable feast he could make for our Lord, who was pleased immediately to declare. This day is salvation i’ornc to this house; because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which woi lost, O, what comfort was here for Zacheus I O, what encouragement for us poor sinners to imitate the readiness and sincerity of his conversion, that we may also with him be acknowledged for true sons of Abraham, by following the example of his faith, obedience, and sacrifice; and that the like salvation may come also to our house, from him who ever delights in seeking and saving that which was lost!

Conclude to consider the conversion of Zacheus as a model of perfect conversion, and to strive to imitate it in every part. Often invite Christ into thy house, and entertain him there in spirit; but see that thou make him a proper feast, even as Zacheus did, by sacrificing to him the dearest affections of thy heart: and never let him go, without giving his blessing to thy house.