Luke 18:9-14
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Read Luke 18:9-14 from the perspective of the Pharisee.
One of the threads running throughout Luke’s Gospel is the contrast between desperate people who understand their failings and the pious religious leaders of Israel who are largely unaware that they do not understand God’s heart or the spirit of God’s laws. In this parable, Jesus clearly articulates the difference.
When it comes to following God’s laws, the Pharisee has dotted every “i” and crossed every “t.” He is so intent on maintaining a spotless record that he has even gone a little further than what the rules require. He assumes that he is justified before God because of his devotion to keeping the law, and he stands confidently in the Temple as he brings his prayers to God.
Stop to examine yourself for a moment. Is it possible, at some level, that you expect God’s approval or God’s favor because of something you are doing on a regular basis? Talk this over with Jesus as honestly as you can.
Read Luke 18:9-14 from the perspective of the tax collector.
The tax collector is a person who has alienated himself from his fellow Israelites by nature of his employment by the Roman government. He has likely cheated his own people for personal gain, and if he has kept any of the Jewish religious laws, he has done so knowing that he is hated and unwelcome in the sacred assembly. But his desperation for God brings him to the temple anyway.
But this is not a person wallowing in shame. This is a person who is keenly aware that God is his only hope. His sorrow over his brokenness is genuine.
Take some time to meditate on the two passages below - one written by the Apostle Paul and the other by James, the half-brother of Jesus:
“…the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10
“…humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” – James 4:7-1
What might Jesus be saying to you today?
What will you do about that?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
