The Pulpit Speaks: September 20, 1958

An article written by my father, the Rev. C. Thomas Paige, as it appeared in the Tri-State Defender on the date shown.

“And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.” — Luke 19:3

One of the most tragic phases of human activities today is wrapped up in the fact that far too many men are too small. Much of the color of things we see and hear today may be directed definitely to the point that we have grown to be a nation of small people. Zaccheus goes down in history as a small man. He could not see many things that other men saw because of his size. But one thing that I will always admire in Zaccheus is that in spite of his physical smallness, he had an outlook on life that was high and noble.

In modern world activity, we have the misfortune of having two types of men: some small-large men and some large-small men. Now I agree with some of you that such terminology seems highly paradoxical but it is true, nevertheless.

Some people I know have been able to wiggle themselves into places of importance and, having obtained their goals, a small man gets unto a big man’s place. The world needs men who as basically big: men who are able to rise above prejudices, greed, selfishness, pride and the like. A long time ago a man prayed, “God give us men who can walk with kings and not lose the common touch.” Today men walk with kings and that is all you hear for the balance of their days.

The providence of God has been most favorable to some of us. We have been able to succeed and progress where many have failed. We have been able to soar to the utmost heights while many others have faltered. We have been able to acclaim many honors while others have gone on unsung. But with all of this, there is no reason for us to use those God-given blessings as means of keeping others from achieving. The really big man is the man who has so morally and spiritually contained himself that whatever the problem that confronts him, he is able to be governed by the moral and spiritual ties that should govern all of us.

But the most beautiful thing about the whole picture is that there are some big small men. These men never crave the opportunity to occupy the big offices or the like but the, in their small ways, are able to challenge the lives of many people through their humble Christ-like living. They are the people who will walk the second mile or share their meager possessions for the joy of others. I have learned through experience that it is not the man who has the most who will help the most, but rather it is just the opposite. The man with the big family, head over heels in debt himself, with all types of obligations, will find some way to help a friend in distress.

These noble men’s minds and efforts have made it possible for many a man to make it into the harbor when otherwise he would be denied the privilege. You won’t find the big-little men’s names on the front of any papers. You won’t hear anyone standing on the street corners telling of their deeds. But in reality, they are the people who, like busy little ants, hour by hour and day by day, make it possible for other generations to come on the scene. These big little men, like Zaccheus, have their handicaps but to offset their handicaps, have a zeal and an ambition that will enable them to rise to heights never thought attainable by the casual bystander.

History has it that Zaccheus was a rich man of great social standing in the community. No one could think in terms of a man of his position climbing a tree. But Zaccheus heard that Jesus was coming his way. He would not let social prestige, economic status, intellectual standing, or anything else keep him from seeing Jesus. To this extent we must admit that Zaccheus was right. There are times when we must disrobe ourselves of certain standings and not concern ourselves with what the people think of us or what they think we should do. Our sole responsibility is to do what is right.

Zaccheus was a little man with a vision to do that which was noble and right. We should all strive to be like him. We must see something worth doing and then, disrobing ourselves of all superficial apparel, set out with all of our minds, souls and bodies, to do just that.

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