And he entered and was passing through Jericho. And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; who was a chief publican, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature. And he ran on before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house."
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, "He is gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner."
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wrongfully exacted aught of any man, I restore fourfold."
And Jesus said unto him, "To-day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost."
(This is the close of Jesus' ministry outside Jerusalem. After this he and his disciples continued their journey to the city. The enemies of Jesus were plotting against him, and the storm of their hatred was about to break. Nevertheless, fully conscious of what his fate must be, the hero of humanity took up the journey to the cross.)
| GETHSEMANE |
'Tis midnight,--and on Olive's brow, The star is dimmed that lately shone; 'Tis midnight--In the garden now The suffering Saviour prays alone. 'Tis midnight,--and, from all removed, Immanuel wrestles, lone with fears; E'en the disciple that He loved Heeds not his Master's grief and tears. 'Tis midnight,--and for others' guilt The Man of sorrows weeps in blood; Yet He, who hath in anguish knelt, Is not forsaken by his God. 'Tis midnight,--and, from ether-plains, Is borne the song that angels know; Unheard by mortals are the strains That sweetly soothe the Saviour's woe. |
| --W. B. Tappan. |
| RIDE ON IN MAJESTY |
Ride on! ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin O'er captive death and conquered sin. Ride on! ride on in majesty! The winged squadrons of the sky Look down with sad and wondering eyes To see the approaching sacrifice. Ride on! ride on in majesty! The last and fiercest strife is nigh: The Father on His sapphire throne Expects His own anointed Son. Ride on! ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain; Then take, O God, Thy power, and reign. |
| --H. H. Milman. |