So Be ItSample

The Pharisee was a teacher of God’s laws, and his position was highly esteemed. However, Pharisees had strict rituals that were often not found in God’s laws. The tax collector was viewed as a traitor, because he was a Jew who collected taxes from other Jews on behalf of Rome. Often times these tax collectors collected far more than the required taxes in order to pocket extra profits for themselves.

Whatever your status, whatever your background, God is more concerned with your heart rather than your works. If your heart is prideful, smug, and your desires are to be better than the next man, then God says you are exalting yourself. No one likes to be around people that are constantly talking about themselves and their great accomplishments. Even worse, no one likes to be around someone who brags about those accomplishments in front of people he thinks will never make it to his level. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled.

This passage teaches us to know our own standing before God. The tax collector knew that he was a sinner, and he also knew that God was a loving God who has the power of eternal life, and eternal death. So he approached God asking Him to be merciful. Out of the two men, only one was “justified,” which means, only one was declared to be righteous by God.

God, please remove every ounce of pride in me that would seek for me to be elevated above others. May I humble myself before you, rather than me being humbled as a result of exalting myself. I thank you for being so loving, and so just in your dealings with humanity. Please help me to realize my standing before you—as a sinner in need of your mercy and grace. In Jesus’ name I pray, So Be it. Amen.