:: The Pharisee and the tax collector ::

the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18 is a familiar story to many Christians. in one story we see two characters who couldn't be more different, but both of whom went to the Temple to pray. the Pharisee, a well-respected religious leader of his time, proudly marched up to the front, boldly proclaiming how religious and godly he was because he did this and did that. the tax collector, scorned by Jews and deemed a traitor, didn't even dare enter the Temple, but instead beat his chest with eyes cast down, saying "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Jesus went on to say that it was the tax collector whose prayer was justified.

if we are to be made righteous in God's sight, we must always curb the sin of self-righteousness. we often judge ourselves based on our deeds. how much of the bible we read, how active we are in church, how cordial we are to the people around us, how much tithe we give.... the list goes on and on. but, is there any man on earth who is good enough for God?

Jesus tells us from this story that we are made right in God's sight through repentence and faith. that is all we need with us as we come into His presence to earn His acceptance. it is the awareness of our own sins, needs and helplessness that God sees, for only then do we throw ourselves at the mercy of the Lord and learn to depend on Him.

the Pharisee went into the Temple to IMPRESS, but the tax collector went to the Temple to EXPRESS.

what are we to do before every service when the chairperson tells us to prepare our hearts for worship? sit there and switch to "worship mode"? prepare our voices for songs of praise? look around for people you know? chat with your church friends? no. instead, we sit there and remind ourselves that we are sinners, that we're sitting on that pew every sunday because we need the forgiveness of the Lord, and that we are willing to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice unto Him and tell him "do what you will with me!! take my life! i wouldn't have it any other way."

i know sometimes even in church i sin. i am amused at a particular family of 4 who turns up in matching-coloured outfits week after week. i judge fellow worshippers of my age when they turn up in revealing clothing. i worry that my belly shows when i sit down. i stare at my nails when i'm praying. i find the sermons boring. i get irritated when the children cry. i think about those earrings that i'm gonna buy when the service is over. i think about the FOOD i'll get to eat downstairs after service. you see, even in church we cannot stop ourselves from sinning. how rotten we are!

however, it's comforting to know that although no man is good enough in the eyes of the Lord, no sin is too great that He cannot forgive either.

sometimes i know i'm guilty of being the Pharisee. when i do something right, or help a friend, this air of self-righteousness puffs up within me. it's ironic that the quality of my Christian life has caused me to be proud of it. it's a dangerous and tricky situation we're in. when we know too much, we find it difficult to remain modest about it. at least, i do. that's why Jesus told us to have faith as innocent little children, for then are we worthy for the Kingdom of heaven. adults ask way too many questions anyway.

i'm not saying we should all enter church everyday with heads hung low, being ashamed of the things we've done. but we should enter the church joyfully, celebrating the Lord's forgiveness, and never stop repenting as we all strive to be more like Christ in one way or another week after week. let us grow together for the glory of the Lord. =)

6:00 PM |blessed.