Heart Of The Matter:
Jesus told this 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.”
“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.”
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!1.
Friends, the dissimilarities between these two men was gigantic, but not for the reason the Pharisee figured.
Nah! The dissimilarities between these two men was not their works or words, but their hearts.
Some folks incorrectly assume that once one becomes a follower of Jesus – it gives them the right to become judgmental and legalistic.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
Still, at times, the good intentions and mis guidance from folks could drive some to dodge or sidestep God altogether!!
Perhaps you’ve met the Pharisee – fixed and unmoving, petty, strictly obeying the details of the law – having a rule-book for everything and everyone.
Maybe you’ve been confronted by the self-righteous – the sanctimonious, finding fault, declaring, “I’m glad I’m not like others!”
Oh-boy!
Now listen, not many of us are wise from a human point of view.
We are not in powerful positions or in the upper social classes.
But God chose what the world considers nonsense to put wise people to shame.
God chose what the world considers weak to put what is strong to shame.
God chose what the world considers ordinary and what it despises – what it considers to be nothing – in order to destroy what it considers to be something.
As a result, no one can brag in God’s presence.
We are partners with Christ Jesus because of God.
Jesus has become our wisdom sent from God.
Our righteousness.
Our holiness.
Our ransom from sin.2.
Yes! It’s true!
The unmerited favour of God compels us to come into a right relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Jesus is our everything!
God’s bounty to us.
Now, that’s something to brag about!
So, if you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God!
Amen? Amen!
English: Contemporary English Version (UK) - CEV-UK
A Pharisee and a tax collector 9 Jesus told a story to some people who thought they were better than others and who looked down on everyone else: 10 Two men went into the temple to pray. into the temple to pray: Jewish people usually prayed there early in the morning and late in the afternoon. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. tax collector: See the note at . 11 The Pharisee stood over by himself and prayed, stood over by himself and prayed: Some manuscripts have “stood up and prayed to himself”. “God, I thank you that I am not greedy, dishonest, and unfaithful in marriage like other people. And I am really glad that I am not like that tax collector over there. 12 I go without eating without eating: See the note at . for two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all I earn.” 13 The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up towards heaven. He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, “God, have pity on me! I am such a sinner.” 14 Then Jesus said, “When the two men went home, it was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who was pleasing to God. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honoured.” : ; .
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English: Contemporary English Version (UK) - CEV-UK
26 My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn't think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. 27 But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame. 28 What the world thinks is worthless, useless, and nothing at all is what God has used to destroy what the world considers important. 29 God did all this to keep anyone from boasting to him. 30 You are God's children. He sent Christ Jesus to save us and to make us wise, acceptable, and holy. 31 So if you want to boast, do what the Scriptures say and boast about the Lord. : .
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