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Humble Hero
“Behold,” Simeon had said, “this Child is destined for the fall
and rising of many in Israel.” Whoever would rise again must first
fall. We must fall upon the Rock and be broken before Christ can
lift us up. Self must be dethroned. The Jews would not accept the
honor that comes through humiliation. This is the reason they would
not receive their Redeemer.
“That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” The hearts
of all, from the Creator to the prince of darkness, are revealed in
the light of the Savior’s life. Satan has represented God as selfish.
But the gift of Christ testifies that while God’s hatred of sin is as
strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death. Having
set out to redeem us, God will not withhold anything necessary for
completing His work. Having collected the riches of the universe,
He gives them all into the hands of Christ and says, Use these gifts
to convince the human race that there is no love greater than Mine.
They will find their greatest happiness in loving Me.
How Everyone Will Judge Himself
At the cross of Calvary, love and selfishness stood face to face.
Christ had lived only to comfort and bless, and by putting Him to
death, Satan showed his hatred against God. The real purpose of his
rebellion was to dethrone God and to destroy Jesus, through whom
God was showing His love.
The life and death of Christ also reveal the thoughts of men and
women. Jesus’ life called everyone to selfsurrender and to fellowship
in suffering. All who were listening to the Holy Spirit were drawn
to Him. Those who worshiped self belonged to Satan’s kingdom. I
n t heir a ttitude t oward Christ, all would show on which side they
stood. In this way, everyone passes judgment on himself.
In the day of final judgment, the Cross will be presented, and
every mind will understand its real significance. Sinners will stand
condemned before the vision of Calvary with its mysterious Victim.
All will see what their choice has been. Every question in the
controversy will have been made plain. God will stand clear of blame
for the existence or continuance of evil. It will be proven that there
was no defect in God’s government, no cause for dissatisfaction.
Both the loyal and the rebellious will declare,