Luke 18:9-14
He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
Grace Prayed For
Grace for Self-Awareness: Pray for the ability to discern your true motivations behind your actions. Are they driven by a desire for genuine good or a need for external validation? Seek the grace to act with sincerity and pure intentions.
Reflection
The Weight of Self-Importance
This passage from Luke (18:9-14) offers a powerful reflection on humility and the path to God’s grace. Jesus addresses those who believe themselves righteous, highlighting the danger of self-importance through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
The Pharisee, a religious leader known for strict adherence to the law, stands tall in prayer. He thanks God for his perceived moral superiority, comparing himself favorably to others – the greedy, the dishonest, the adulterous, and even the tax collector beside him. He meticulously lists his good deeds – fasting twice a week and tithing his income.
Here, we see the pitfall of self-righteousness. The Pharisee focuses on external actions, neglecting the condition of his heart. His prayer lacks sincerity and overflows with pride.
In stark contrast, the tax collector, a figure often despised for his profession, stands at a distance, filled with shame. He doesn’t raise his eyes to heaven, but beats his breast in a gesture of repentance. His prayer is simple and profound: “God, be merciful to me a sinner.”
Jesus concludes with a powerful statement: “the latter went home justified, not the former.” It’s the tax collector, acknowledging his shortcomings and seeking mercy, who finds favor with God.
This parable reminds us that true righteousness is not about outward displays of piety. It’s about humility, recognizing our own flaws, and approaching God with a repentant heart.
- Where do I find myself on the spectrum between the Pharisee and the tax collector?
- Do I hold my good deeds too closely, using them as a source of pride rather than gratitude?
- Can I cultivate a more humble posture before God, acknowledging my need for mercy?
Just as the tax collector went home justified, God’s grace is available to all who seek it with a humble heart. Let us shed the burden of self-importance and approach Him with open hearts, seeking His forgiveness and love.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Honesty in Prayer: The parable encourages honest and heartfelt prayer, like the tax collector’s. By shedding self-importance and expressing your true needs directly to Jesus, you build a more intimate and authentic relationship with him.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post