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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Glad-Im-Not-You-e1pc54o
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14 NIV)
The Church attracts all sorts of people. In fact, all religious organizations have the same effect. And that in and of itself, is not a bad thing; it is best to be where Christ is being shared because one day one of those "interesting" people may just hear the word needed to allow Jesus to change their lives. It happened to me. It may have happened to you. And, if it hasn't happened yet, keep coming and praying! Yet, there may be some who will never hear, never change; but we do not give up hope for those.
I'm old enough to remember the days when the churches were full. And not only full, but filled with men and boys wearing suits. Yes, coats and ties. The women and girls would wear dresses. And while this was not a bad thing, those who wore those clothing sometimes pointed out or even stopped those without the "proper" clothing, and would run those lesser dressed, out. An old joke from that time was told about a poor family who moved to a small community and began attending the Methodist Church. The family could not afford the "proper" clothing and so the ladies of the church, while delighted their attendance was up, collected money and bought the children new clothing and shoes. The next Sunday they anxiously awaited the arrival of the kids dressed ready for church. They waited and waited. Sunday School started and ended, as did the worship service. Monday a couple of the ladies made a house call. The mother of the kids said, "When we saw how nice the kids looked we decided they would look better at the Episcopal Church and so we went them there!"
Jesus encountered these people, and He loved them all; but His mission was to get their hearts and spirits right before the Lord, and this parable was such an attempt. Two men, said Jesus, were at the temple praying. One was a Pharisee and the other, boo!, was a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing alone, prayed aloud, "God, I thank You that I am not like other people --- robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this man, a tax collector. I fast twice a week and give my tithe, ten percent of all I get." The tax collector and everyone within the temple heard that prayer, because it was lifted up not to God but to public attention, so the tax collector could not even look up toward Heaven but began to beat his chest and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Amen.
Jesus declares that the prayer of the tax collector allowed him to be justified before God. The "prayer" of the Pharisee was more a public declaration of perfection, albeit self-declared perfection, and not a sincere, from-the-heart reflection on need and sin before God. There was no confession of fault, rather a hot air exhuast of his perception of adherance to the law rather than faith in the living God. Even his remark about being better than the tax collector was not acceptable, for he was not showing compassion towards others. Prayer is that which can help us alter our lives in the presence of God, Whom we know wants us to help others along the way. The Church has far too many "Pharisees" even now; what we need are people with contrite hearts like the tax collector.
PRAYER: Loving God, grant us the hearts of flesh that know we need You and need to seek You. Grant us also hearts of love to love all people, even those who disagree with us; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Pray more with the desires that God has placed in your heart!
Receive my love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
PRAYERS FOR ME as today I will be in New Braunfels at Walgreens on 1160 I-35 Business Loop helping people with insurance needs from 9 am until 1 pm, and Tuesday will find me in Gonzales at H-E-B also 9 am until 1 pm. Thursday at H-E-B in Seguin from 1 pm until 5 pm.
