I don't know too many people who presume upon God's grace. Or do I? Perhaps you and I do this all the time. Maybe we think we deserve special treatment because we're God's people. We think that because we believe in Jesus we get to go to the front of the line when it comes time for God to hand out favors. We might look at others less deserving in our own estimation thinking God owes us before he gives anything good to them.
One thing is for sure though. Jesus came to proclaim good news to the poor. He was sent to "proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” Unless we are willing to admit our neediness, and rejoice in God's favor to others in need, we will find no joy in Jesus' presence. If we do admit our need for his favor, and rejoice in that favor to others we will find great joy in Jesus' gifts of sight, freedom, release, and good news of God's favor - no matter what town we're from.
