Sublime

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

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.

Worldly Christians look to God primarily for personal fulfillment. They are saved, but self-centered. They love to attend concerts and enrichment seminars, but you would never find them at a missions conference because they aren’t interested. Their prayers focus on their own needs, blessings, and happiness. It’s a “me-first” faith: How can God make

(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.”

Mercy triumphs over judgment.

You shall not say, “the burden of the LORD,” 39therefore, I will surely lift you up[75] and cast you away from my presence, you and the city that I gave to you and your ancestors. 40And I will bring upon you everlasting disgrace and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.