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- Luke 18:10-14
Luke 18:10-14
Ken McIntyre
June 27, 2024
10 "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.' 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God.”
It's a funny thing to go before an all-holy God and brag about how holy you are! (If you're terrible at ice hockey, imagine going up to Connor McDavid and bragging how great a skater you are!).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is 'Good News' because there is some really bad news we have to come to grips with: we are sinful and stuck. "Stuck" isn't really the best word to use. The Bible uses the word "dead" in our sins (Ephesians 2:1, Romans 6:23). It would be bizarre for a dead person to brag at how alive they are.
When we come before God, let us be like the tax collector and not the Pharisee. Today, throw yourself at the mercy of God instead of justifying yourself before Him.