Luke 18:9-14 (NRSV)
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Verse 9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: Verse 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Verse 11The 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. Verse 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' Verse 13But 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!' Verse 14I 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."
Devotion
Our society today does not encourage humbleness. Three-year-olds are told to “make good decisions,” while climbing on safety rails, instead of being told to get down before they fall when they are not of an age to comprehend the dangerous situation. Young people are constantly looking for approval to be the best, look the best, or act the right way to fit in with others on social media. When mistakes are made, they are devastated. Anxiety and depression have become a regular description of how they feel. Too often that feeling of self-importance continues into adulthood when they have not experienced a need for humbleness or to listen to the wisdom of others.
Learning from others through listening and accepting our limits provides an opening to discover how we are dependent on God and how limited our human wisdom is. Humbleness takes away over-confidence and conceit that separates us from our loving Father.
Prayer
“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Remove the self-serving need for approval of this world and look to the only approval needed, the one that comes from you through Christ Jesus. Amen.
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