would make way for him. He had made himself rich at the expense of his fellow-countrymen and in the service of the Romans, and, therefore, was hated and despised by all. But he was determined to see Jesus, and, without minding the laughter of the passers by, had climbed up into the tree beneath which the Lord must pass. What was his astonishment to see Him stop, look up, and call him by his name:
"Zaccheus, make haste and come down, for this day I must abide in thy house."
His house! the house of a publican! He of all that crowd to have the honour of entertaining the Master! "He made haste and came down," says St. Luke, "and received Him with joy. And, when all saw it, they murmured, saying that He was gone to be a guest with a man that was a sinner." Zaccheus took the harsh judgment humbly; his heart was too full of gladness to mind it, and he was ready to pay any price for the favour shown him. He came and stood before our Lord to make his confession and purpose of amendment and satisfaction:
"Behold, Lord," he said, "the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have wronged any man of anything, I restore him fourfold."
Jesus said to him: "This day is salvation come to this house. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Here was the absolution.
Next morning our Lord set out again on His way, "a very great multitude" going before, following, thronging Him as before.
Blind Bartimeus, the beggar, sat by the wayside, and, hearing the tramping past of many feet, he asked what
