Suddenly streets resounded with the cry: Jesus of Nazareth is coming! Zacchæus got busy, ran on ahead and climbed unto a tree. Hidden by the dense leafage there, he would have a chance of seeing Jesus--why, He is coming right there--He actually stops at the tree, looks up, sees him, and says: "Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide by thy house!" And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying that He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. But Zacchæus 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. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. He was son of Abraham! * * * * * As Abraham had learned how to be home by himself and to say, "I am but dust and ashes"--thus Zacchæus had come home to himself when he realized that he was a sinner. And as Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, his heart's treasure, thus Zacchæus had come to the point where he was willing to sacrifice half of what was his--that dear, dear property which his heart had loved so fervently and to which it had been attached for many years. That had been the most precious treasure of his heart. _To be home by oneself humbles._ _To live outside oneself makes haughty_, and God is displeased with those who are haughty while He bestows His grace on those who are humble. * * * * * "For today I must abide by thy house," Jesus says. Why? Because Zacchæus could be found at home. Jesus always knocks on the doors of those hearts where He knows He finds someone at home. He must abide there. To the men of our own age the danger of living outside themselves in their work and business, is great. Our age suffers from a tension which was not known in bygone days. If a man is to surge ahead, he must let his business absorb his entire strength. Therefore, it is so difficult for Jesus to find men at home when He knocks at the door of their heart, and therefore so few men are to be found in the church on the Lord's day. Women are not in the same measure tempted to live their lives outside themselves. But Zacchæus stands like one who admonishes the man of our age: _Try to be at home by yourself, in your own soul. That is the road you must wander if you are to find happiness._ 2. _All Forgiven--Nothing In Vain_ "This day is salvation come to this house." To Zacchæus this means: _Your sin has been forgiven--all has been stricken out_.