WHOM THE LORD RECEIVES.
When Jesus was on earth he met some people who thought that they were perfect, and they despised other people. One day he told them this story: “There were two men who went to the temple one day to pray. One of them was a Pharisee, the other a publican. The Pharisee said, ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this man beside me. I fast twice in the week, and I give a tenth of all that I have.’ Then the publican prayed: he did not even go close to the holy place: he kept his eyes on the ground, and he struck his breast, which was a sign of deep humility, as he said, ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner’—I tell you,” said Jesus, “that man went back to his home justified, rather than the other, for every one who thinks too well of himself must be humbled; but those who are humble God will exalt.”
The rest of the story is about some very little children being brought to Jesus. His disciples tried to have them sent away, for they did not understand Jesus; but he called the little ones to him and said: “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Truly I say to you, that any one who will not receive the kingdom of heaven with the faith of a little child shall never enter there.”
THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN.—Luke xviii. 10.
ZACCHEUS THE PUBLICAN.
There was a man named Zaccheus, a rich man, a tax-gatherer, who wanted very much to see Jesus. One day, when Jesus was passing through the city of Jericho, Zaccheus, who was a small man and could not see over the heads of the crowd who were following Jesus, ran ahead of them and climbed into a sycamore tree. When Jesus reached the tree he looked up and said, “Zaccheus, make haste and come down; I want to go to your house to-day.” Then Zaccheus hurried down and joyfully took Jesus home with him. But the people murmured about it; they said, “He has gone to visit a wicked man.” Then Zaccheus talked with Jesus; he said to him, “Lord, I mean to give the half of all my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man wrongfully, I will give him back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “This day is salvation come to your house. You are a Jew, a son of Abraham; you shall have the promised gift.”