We marvel again and agai read these pages, at the marvellous insight, the abounding sympathy and sure touch of Jesus. It was because they fell this and knew that he sympathized with them and understood them that they crowded to hear him. He did not offer them an easy life, but he did show them the way to permanent freedom.
Such was Zaccheus—If he could testify, he would tell us that Christ read his heart, knew all the struggle against covetousness and sin and the longing after righteousness and holi-mess, and that Christ showed him the way to victory. Nor would the testimony be different if we could approach Matthew, the Publican, who became a beloved Apostle and glor—ious evangelist. We are told of that day, when Jesus, passing by, looked on him. Yes, looked right down into his heart and saw the fight going on there, and called him to rise up and follow him. He obeyed the call and left all the old life, and Christ fled his heart with such joy and love: that the old sins never came back.
1 said the parable is not without.
parallel in our own lives. I firmly Some men are in danger of spiritual strophe because their hearts are full Christ gave a pen picture of such a one in another parable, the parable of the men who refused the invitation to the wedding feast, which you may read in Luke 14. We know ihe type. Life is so crowded; each day has its thronging cares and pleasures; there are a thousand interests; we are busy and occupied. There is no room for Christ, not even manger room, But even greater is the danger of he empty heart. It is not sufficient to expel the wrong: we must fill the heart with nobler things. It was there that the man in the story failed. And have we not failed at the same point? We have struggled with some evil habit, broken its power, cast the devil out. Our heart is clean again, swept and garnished. and we are proud of it. It is glorious freedom. But the heart is empty.
Keeps us from Evil A few minutes ago we joined in a general confession. Confessing our sins, we asked for pardon and for strength to live hereafter pure and holy lives; and in the Absolution God's answer to that prayer was declared—we are by faith cleansed and pardoned, He casts all the devils out just as
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.