"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Friday, 21 October 2016 with Scripture Luke 18:9-14-------
Luke 18:9 Also, to some who were relying on their own righteousness and looking down on everyone else, he told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Parush and the other a tax-collector. 11 The Parush stood and prayed to himself, ‘O God! I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, immoral, or like this tax-collector! 12 I fast twice a week, I pay tithes on my entire income, . . . ’ 13 But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes toward heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God! Have mercy on me, sinner that I am!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home right with God rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”[Complete Jewish Bible]
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The Pharisee and the tax collector are often put into opposites. At first glance, we might expect the Pharisee to be one who is thinking of the greater community and what is the best for the people, while the tax collector to be one who is only thinking only of himself. Yet when Jesus explores these roles we often find the opposite. The tax collector is the one who regards his life as one in need of God's mercy and forgiveness. The model of the tax collector calls us to a life of humility lived in trust in the mercy of God that in turn can release us in our daily lives to use our gifts not in self-serving glory but for the betterment of all in the community.
Good and gracious God, we give you thanks for the community of which we are a part, the work that we are able to do, and the love that we are able to show. Help us to be humble and know that we are in need of your mercy and forgiveness every day of our life. Help us to turn to you and be united in our holy and precious name. Amen.
Nathan Strong, '11
Senior Pastor, Portland Lutheran Parish, Portland, N.D.
Luke 18:9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:
10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.'
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'
14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."[New Revised Standard Version]
Good and gracious God, we give you thanks for the community of which we are a part, the work that we are able to do, and the love that we are able to show. Help us to be humble and know that we are in need of your mercy and forgiveness every day of our life. Help us to turn to you and be united in our holy and precious name. Amen.
Nathan Strong, '11
Senior Pastor, Portland Lutheran Parish, Portland, N.D.
Luke 18:9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:
10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.'
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'
14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."[New Revised Standard Version]
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