Shalom,

Only because of His grace, we can attend the service again, both onsite and online. May our lives be filled with Jesus who has saved us and is always with us (Immanuel).

For that reason, we should welcome God's Word in order to obtain blessings from the highest place. But how do we at this moment respond to the news of the Saving Jesus? The news of His death (Luke 18:31-34) should actually be responded with humility because we know that God humbles those who exalt themselves (v. 14). If we go to church feeling self-righteous, if we feel that we are not sinful like other people (cf. vv. 11-12), we are not right before God because it is the same as underestimating Him who came to save us.

We should remember that we used to be blind (spiritually). Therefore let us act like the blind beggar who begged for Jesus' mercy even though many people rebuked him. We should call on the Lord to open our eyes so that we can see the wonders of His law (Psalm 119:18).

Didn’t Jesus – the Word became flesh – come to be among us and live in us? Why do we need our blind eyes to be opened? In order to see Jesus who is full of glory, of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Don't be like Jesus' disciples who did not understand the news at all (blind) about the suffering their Master was going to experience (Luke 18:34). Hence, we need Jesus to come to us personally. Welcome Him humbly and ask Him to open our spiritual eyes, so that we can see His glory, full of grace and truth.

What is the evidence that the blind beggar received his sight? We can see his action: he followed Jesus and glorified God. The people around him were stirred and joined him to praise God.

What actually blinds a person?

• The feeling of being sinless (John 9:41). The Scripture says if we say that we are not blind, sin will remain in us. However, if we confess that we are blind and that we need Him, our eyes will be The attitude of the beggar who humbly and faithfully asked Jesus’ mercy was a good example for us to be followed. Surely Jesus will open our “blind eyes” and will save us. We could come to Him and tell Him the truth about our situation. We might go to church not understanding the preaching of God's Word, God is able to reveal the secrets of His Word and give us understanding. The matter is how we respond to the message of salvation and reconciliation (Isaiah 52:7) with humility. It is when our hearts feel so unworthy and accept Him as our Mighty King who rules over both the universe and our lives.
• The gods of this world. Which gods are our enemies that should be conquered? The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Now the choice is ours, whether we want to choose the positive or the negative. When our heart is filled with the truth of God's Word and His love, our mouth will surely praise Him as the King of all kings who came to earth as a man to endure the pain of being crucified to death. He conquers all that is in the heavens, above the earth and under the earth so that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:8-11).

How should we respond positively to the message of Jesus who died and rose again? At least we should use our mouths to praise and glorify Him with gratitude. Jesus Himself had set an example when He was going to feed 5,000 men with just five loaves of bread and two fish. What did He do? He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish and looked up to heaven; He gave thanks then broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people (Luke 9:16). Miracle took place. The bread was multiplied with twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over (v. 17). Obviously the secret of seeing and experiencing miracles are not the result of one's own wealth, ability, and intelligence but of our thanksgiving to God.

Let us also act like Zacchaeus, the head/leader of the group of tax collectors, who was rich but needed to see Jesus despite his short stature.

When Jesus came to his house, Zacchaeus welcomed Him with joy and had an intensive conversation with Him. What happened then? Zacchaeus realized he had made a mistake in accumulating wealth. He confessed that he had been a sinner and needed salvation. He then decided to give half of his possessions to the poor and would give back four times to those he had cheated (Luke 19:8). There was a change in the life of Zacchaeus. He no longer acted unfairly towards others and began to care for the poor. Who is exactly “the poor man”? It is Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor so that we, through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9) with the treasures of Heaven.

Rich Zacchaeus was no longer a slave of money. It is different from the rich young leader who did not get the grace to enter the kingdom of God because he was bound by his wealth, even though he had done good deeds (Luke 18:18-27).

Application: We should help other people delightedly because by doing so we entertain angels (Hebrews 13:1). When our personal and married lives have been saved by God, do not become slaves of money (vv. 2-5) but become servants of Christ. The seal of salvation is given to us and we become descendants of Abraham, the believers. We should not say we are sinless because by doing so, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. We also make Him a liar and His Word will not be with us. On the other hand, if we confess our sins, He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-10).

Let us beware, if God's Word is not in us, we cannot see His glory. Therefore we need to confess the sins we have committed and renounce them so that we will be loved by God. (Proverbs 28:13-14). God delights in humble people and gives them the reward of salvation (Psalm 149:4).

Let us welcome the saving message of Jesus with joy. For that reason, we need to be humble in order to get the crown of salvation and to enter the Kingdom of God. And one day we will live together with the Owner of the Kingdom of God forever and ever. Amen.