Sublime

Jesus had replaced money as Zacchaeus’s savior, and so money went back to being merely that, just money. It was now a tool for doing good, for serving people. Now that his identity and security were rooted in Christ, he had more money than he needed. The grace of God had transformed his attitude toward his wealth.

Jesus offered, and still offers, not the way of ease, but the way of glory. He wants men who are prepared with open eyes to venture for his name.

(Matthew 25:40)

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Jesus was unmistakable: “Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life.”

Jesus had to resent deeply the loss of Jewish national independence and the aggression of Rome.… Natural humiliation was hurting and burning. The balm for that burning humiliation was humility. For humility cannot be humiliated.… Thus he asked his people to learn from him, “For I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. F

Mercy triumphs over judgment.