Luke 18: 9-14
verse 14: “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.”
God sees right through our phony confidence. We are so much better off starting with what we know to be true. I know, and God knows, all of my weaknesses. How can I possibly pretend to be something else? I am simply blessed beyond understanding to be accepted the way I am. God knows I am trying to be a better person. He knows my heart, as timid and uncertain as that heart can be.
Holy Lord, I am thankful for your grace, your acceptance of me as I am, and your presence to guide and empower me. Measured by my own behavior, I am not worthy of any of it, but I am yours, and you will help me to be beautiful. Amen
Becky, transforming
Luke 18:9-14
In this parable, a Pharisee and a tax collector went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed about how good he was, but the tax collector asked for God’s mercy because he was a sinner. Jesus said that it was the tax collector who went home justified before God. He said everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Jesus teaches us the importance of praying with the right attitude. I never want to think that I am so righteous and look down on others while being blind to my own sinful behavior like the Pharisee . The tax collector, on the other hand, put his head down and kep…
Luke 18: 9-14
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable
I struggle with pride. I have a great deal of difficulty admitting that I am wrong about anything. It is so easy for me to look at other people and see their pride and arrogance; it is not easy to see my own arrogance and pride. I feel I am getting better dealing with my prideful nature; because I do not want to harm my relationship with God. It is not easy for me to admit this weakness to others. But perhaps it is a first step in overcoming my struggle.
Dearest Lord, you have been so…
Luke 18:9-24 The Parable of two men praying. The more I read this passage, the less clear it became. On the surface, it seems easy to understand. But then I asked myself who am I in this Story. Surely not the Pharisee. Oh yes. Although I work on this flaw, I can be very judgmental. The Pharisee saw the tax collector as a sinner and was glad not to be like that. Just saying that makes you a sinner. Am I the Tax Collector—probably, but like the tax collector, I pray for forgiveness. We are all on a journey and God has given us a great map to help us choose the right path on that journey. Prayer: Graciou…
2021-0323 Tuesday, Daily Devotion - Luke 18:11 (NIV)
11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
The Pharisee gave thanks to God because of his comparison with other people who were worse than himself. Thanksgiving should not come from any comparison. Thanksgiving should come from an individual relationship with God rather than comparison with others or environmental situations. Thanksgiving might vary depending on the target we compare to or environmental changes. And Jesus clearly taught us what is right and wrong in Luke 18:14.
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those…
Luke 18:9 - “He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:”
Humankind’s original sin was pride and its delusion that we could rely on ourselves rather than God. This Pharisee took it yet a step further, loving himself so much he treated others “with contempt.” This passage reminds me every time I express contempt for another person I am no better than he who Jesus uses as example. Why do I do this? How can I curb that behavior? The only answer can be the surrender of my will to the Holy Spirit.
Prayer - Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen
TAA