Better

Luke 18:9-14 (The Message)

9-12 He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people:

"Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.'

13 "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.'"

14 Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."

There's a lot of talk these days about "elitists," and "Joe the Plumber."

Politicians, of both political parties, will always work hard to paint themselves as friends of the "common man," while working hard to make you think that the other side considers itself "better than" you.

Nobody like somebody who thinks they're "better than."

The problem is, we all think we're "better than" somebody. Trust me, you may not think you do...but you almost certainly do.

That goes for me, too. It goes for all of us. It especially goes for all of us who go to church and call ourselves Jesus-followers. We're susceptible to the sin of "better than."

At least, that seems to be Jesus' opinion of the religious establishment of his time. And now, guess what? WE Christians are the religious establishment.

So, Jesus decided to tell a story.

If nobody likes those who think they're "better," then nobody really likes a "tax collector."

Yet, in Jesus' story, it's the tax collector who comes out on top?

Why?

Because he knows how much he needs God's grace and forgiveness.

That gives me pause. It makes me think. It might just soften my heart a bit. It might cause me to become a little bit more thoughtful, and a lot more humble.

The world could always use a little more thoughtful humility.

Prayer: God our Father, may you change our hearts in such a way that the world would know your followers by our humility, gratitude and generosity. You alone are fit to be the judge.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.