". . . everyone
who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be
exalted." (Luke 18:14 NKJ)
Once upon a time in
a galaxy not very far at all, there lived two men. One was very religious, and
everyone knew it. The other was an outcast and despised by society because of
the kind of work he did. Both men regularly worshiped at the same temple, but
normally not at the same time.
One day both men
came at the same hour to pray. And the ultra-religious man strode proudly up to
the front and boastfully cried out, "God, I thank you for not making me
like other men. I thank you because I don't lie, cheat, or steal. I thank you
because I am a just and honorable man. I thank you because I am not an
adulterer. I even thank you because I am not like the man who entered as I did
today. I do my duty of fasting, twice a week at least. And I tithe all my
income faithfully." And his personal accolades continued uninterrupted for
some time.
The other man,
however, humbly stood back some distance from the front of the worship area.
His sins weighed so heavily on his heart that he couldn't bring himself to even
look up. With one fist he beat repeatedly against his chest as he quietly
prayed a simple prayer. "God, I am a sinner. Please be merciful to
me."
When Jesus originally told
this story, there were some in his audience who "trusted in
themselves." They measured everyone else by their personal perspective of
righteousness. They "despised others" whom they considered less
righteous than themselves.
Jesus said that the
second man returned to his home "justified" while the ultra-religious
man didn't. And the Lord's point? "everyone who exalts himself will be
humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Dear Father, thank
you for Jesus who "humbled himself and became obedient to the death of the
Cross." Enable me to also humble myself and never despise others or trust
in my own righteousness. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be humble. Trust God
alone.
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