What Do You Trust In?

Good day to you Mighty Warrior of the One True King! 

One of the many things that are amazing when we look at parables that Jesus teaches us is that He can bring forth such amazing truth on multiple levels. Take for example the following parable that Jesus shares regarding the Pharisee and the tax collector. When we first look at it we can see that he is addressing this to "some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and viewed others with contempt." We can see at first reading, that Jesus gives a great example of a life influenced by having a religious spirit compared to a life influenced by having a relationship. One stakes his hopes and claims on what he has done and the other entirely on the mercy of God.

And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” - Luke 18:9-14

Now let's look again. What is another lesson that can be gleaned in addition to the first one? There is still hope - this is huge! Jesus did not say that due to his condition of the heart that there is never a chance that it can be changed. In fact, one of the most self-righteous Pharisees of all was saved by God’s mercy and went on to become the Apostle Paul. There has never been a heart too hard that God's mercy can not pierce.

One word of caution to you though - don't fall into the trap that you see yourself as one relying on God's mercy and then comparing yourself to the ones that do not, thinking that you are better than they. Remember how Jesus ended this parable, "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled..."

- created by Lane Mercer (twoarrowsministries@gmail.com to schedule for ministry to your group)