Devotion:
Read Luke 18:9-13.
Our focus parable during worship services today will be “The Pharisee and the Tax Collector.” This is one of those occasions when Luke gives some commentary and offers an explanation as to why Jesus told the parable. There are two separate, but connected, pieces to that explanation. First, they “were confident of their own righteousness…” Some people can get to feeling rather good about all the good they do. But the most “saintly” people I know are some of the most humble people I know. No matter what all they have done or are doing, they see themselves as not doing near enough or not being good enough. They see themselves as just doing what they are supposed to do because of who they follow and what they believe; nothing more.
The other part of the explanation for the need for this parable says some people “looked down on everyone else.” It can be tempting to compare ourselves to others. Most are not audacious enough to come right out and say it, as the Pharisee does in his prayer, but they still think it on some level: “At least I’m not like them.”
Learning to live the way of Jesus Christ certainly includes learning the way of humility.
Personal Worship Option:
Join us for worship today at Christ Church! Hopefully you can do that in person at either 9:30 or 11:15 or watch online during those times. If you are reading this later than that, be sure to go to our website, find today’s service and participate in it when you can.
No comments:
Post a Comment