Humbled

Have you ever thanked God that you didn't have the kind of troubles that beset others?

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 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. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 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!’ 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.” - Luke 18:9-14

I saw a video on the news of the tents set up by the homeless in Los Angeles and I couldn't help but wonder what it might be like to live that way.

Am I thankful that I don't?

Of course I am, but that doesn't make me like the Pharisee, does it?

He was judging the tax collector with the comparison to himself.  I guess we do that automatically, don't we?

But what if we feel something different when we see someone living like that?  

The image could be humbling.  We could be reminded that we are no different than that other person who has come to hard times.

There could be no judgment at all, but compassion.

Maybe that is what Jesus wants us to feel.

How would that play out for the Pharisee?  Would he pray differently?  Would he be praying at all?

I think the lesson here is all about seeing the other person as a person, no different from us, no less deserving, no less worthy, just living under different circumstances.

If we can see ourselves in others, we can be humbled.

More to come...