- Jul 13, 2004
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Luke 18:9-14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and look down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: God, I thank you that I am not like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.
But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me , a sinner. I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Sunday school was over, and outside the church seven year old Greg and Steve were talking about their lesson for that morning; "Jesus wants me to be humble."
A passerby had to cover his mouth in laughter when he heard one of the boys burst out, " Oh yeah? I bet I'm more humble than you are!"
We smile when we hear these stories, but deep down inside we know that humility is a hard lesson to learn. The Pharisee, mentioned in our Scripture, obviously thought that he was doing well in all areas of his life, but Jesus made it clear that the man's heart was clogged with a spirit of arrogance and pride. There was no way he could experience the restoring love of Christ until he emptied himself and opened up all channels to receive that love.
The publican, in contrast, knew who he was, a sinner needing mercy. With such an attitude, he made himself an open vessel, ready and willing to receive God's love and forgiveness.
What about us? Are our heart channels clogged with pride and false righteousness?
Or are we open vessels, willing to be taught and used by our Lord?
Heavenly Father, give us wisdom to see the pride in our own lives, and strength to deal with it so that we may open channels for you.
In His Service
Doc
But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me , a sinner. I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Sunday school was over, and outside the church seven year old Greg and Steve were talking about their lesson for that morning; "Jesus wants me to be humble."
A passerby had to cover his mouth in laughter when he heard one of the boys burst out, " Oh yeah? I bet I'm more humble than you are!"
We smile when we hear these stories, but deep down inside we know that humility is a hard lesson to learn. The Pharisee, mentioned in our Scripture, obviously thought that he was doing well in all areas of his life, but Jesus made it clear that the man's heart was clogged with a spirit of arrogance and pride. There was no way he could experience the restoring love of Christ until he emptied himself and opened up all channels to receive that love.
The publican, in contrast, knew who he was, a sinner needing mercy. With such an attitude, he made himself an open vessel, ready and willing to receive God's love and forgiveness.
What about us? Are our heart channels clogged with pride and false righteousness?
Or are we open vessels, willing to be taught and used by our Lord?
Heavenly Father, give us wisdom to see the pride in our own lives, and strength to deal with it so that we may open channels for you.
In His Service
Doc
