THE FAMILY ALTAR

September 24.

"And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him,

and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for

to-day I must abide at thy house." Luke 19:5.

This Zacchaeus was a rich man and the chief of the Koman

tax-officials in Jericho. But all his wealth and social distinction

could not ease his conscience from the load of sin and guilt under

which he was groaning. Being small of stature, he climbs a syco-

more tree when he hears that Jesus is about to pass through Jericho.

He longs to see the kind Savior of the publicans and sinners. No

doubt, the secret wish lived in his heart: "Oh, that this Jesus

would help and save me, too !" And now behold what a com-

passionate Savior all contrite sinners have in Jesus, whether they

be rich or poor. Our omniscient Lord, who knows what is in man

and reads our secret thoughts from afar, knew and saw this longing

of Zacchaeus' heart for pardon and peace with God, and so He

passes through Jericho to bring salvation to poor, penitent Zac-

chaeus. 0 what a kind and faithful Friend and Savior we sinners

have in Christ! It is gloriously true what He says there in the

house of Zacchaeus : "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save

that which was lost." Not one of His blood-bought sheep will He,

the Good Shepherd, overlook and abandon to its fate. He goes

out to seek them all ; and when He has found them, as He found

Zacchaeus, He abides with them in their hearts and their homes,

and fills them with the rich joy of His saving presence. He has

been seeking us from our youth in His holy Gospel. Have we

received Him joyfully, as did Zacchaeus? Blessed are we if we

have. For then is salvation come to us and to our homes.

Jesus, Savior, come to me!

Let me ever be with Thee;

Come, and nevermore depart,

Thou who reignest in my heart.

Lord, for Thee I ever sigh,

Nothing else can satisfy,

'Tis my constant cry to Thee :

Jesus, Jesus, come to me!

Earthly joys can give no peace,

Cannot bid my longing cease;

But to have my Jesus near,

This is all my pleasure here.