I've come to the conclusion I must be strangely made. It truly pains my soul to meet someone who has lost hope. With that in mind, I speak to that person who has given up, or is about to.

While journeying to Jerusalem to die, Jesus was to pass through Jericho. Luke says as he came close to Jericho, "... a certain [blind] man sat by the wayside begging:" (Luke 18:35).

That man sitting in the dust was named Bartimaeus, and he was blind. It's not hard to imagine what a pitiable creature Bartimaeus must have been.

Hearing the commotion of Jesus' entourage passing by, Bartimaeus asked what it meant. When he was told that it was Jesus, he began to cry out "... Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." (Mark 10:47).

Well, evidently his cries annoyed some and they rebuked him, but this only caused him to cry out that much more. Jesus heard him, "... stood still, and commanded him to be called ..." (Mark 10:49).

Filled with faith, Bartimaeus cast off his beggar's garment and went to Jesus. And at his humble request, Jesus restored his sight, and made him whole.

Then, as Jesus passed on through Jericho, Zacchaeus heard of His coming, and wanted to see Him. But when he went to the street to get a view of the healer, he was too short – he couldn't see over the crowds. Nonetheless, determined, he ran on ahead, [and] climbed up a Sycamore tree for an unimpeded view of the Master. And there [that] must have been some kind of a sight – to see this man perched in a tree, for Zacchaeus was a wealthy prominent citizen of Jericho.

Jesus came to the tree, and He stopped. And He looked up at Zacchaeus, and he said, "... Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." (Luke 19:5).

Zacchaeus rejoiced and He took Jesus home. The disciples grumbled self-righteously under their breath that Jesus was "... gone to be guest with a man that is [was] a sinner." (Luke 19:7).

Well, somewhere in the course of that evening – and what an evening it must have been – Zacchaeus stood and announced, "... Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." (Luke 19:8).

Jesus acknowledged this humble sacrifice by saying, "... This day is salvation come to this house ..." (Luke 19:9).

Now, think about this: Jesus lifted the beggar Bartimaeus out of the dirt and made him whole. Then, moments later, by contrast, He called the powerful Zacchaeus down out of a tree. and made him whole. As Jesus left Jericho, both men stood as sons, equals, and disciples of the Master.

Now, today it does not matter who or what we are. Jesus will take us where we are and make us whole. There are some who are Bartimaeus – so lowly and beaten down, and cast off that they feel they are nothing, and have nothing to give. There are others like Zacchaeus – they have much, and unfortunately some think they are much.

Then Jesus comes and He bids those of the lower class to trade in their beggar's garment. And those of the upper [class], He asks them to sacrifice their wealth and pride. And in return, He raises both to power and privilege greater than any possible earthly station. Men can never make men as great as God can.