Do we constantly criticize others? What about politicians, past or current generations or fellow motorists? Do we constantly compare ourselves to others to justify ourselves? Let’s learn that we are all in the same boat and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14.
Self-Righteousness
Luke 18:9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else
Do we continually scorn politicians or fellow motorists or others? Are we caught up in generational self righteousness, constantly criticizing past or present generations? What about Old Testament generations or the letters that Paul wrote? Are we self-righteous about not being self-righteous like a Pharisee, which still makes us self-righteous?
A Patriot & a Collaborator
Luke 18:10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.”
Pharisees were patriots who preserved the faith under foreign domination. Tax collectors were traitors profiting from foreign occupation. Yet, Jesus challenged us to rethink our judgments. We don’t know another person’s heart. A seemingly wonderful person may be arrogant, and an outwardly bad person may have a heart of repentance.
Delusion
Luke 18:11 “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!’”
If we pray “thank God I’m not like so and so” we are self-deceived. Like a delusional person, believing he is Napoleon, or a different gender, we can all imagine that we are something we are not. Self-righteousness is a fool’s delusion, defining our worth by the faults of others.
Righteous Deeds
Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
Can we be close to the Church yet far from God? The Pharisee had dedicated his life to holiness and became confident in his own righteousness. He believed he was superior. Yet he forgot one thing. All our good deeds do not clean up a filthy act (Isaiah 64:6).
Righteous Repentance
Luke 18:13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Church reformation is good but sin taints both heretics and orthodox. Both may be seeking to justify themselves. Yet, no amount of self-justification will work, because we have all sinned. The faults of others ought to make us humble not arrogant, because in them we should see our own sins.
None of us measures up to God’s righteousness. Let’s avoid self-righteously judging others and humbly confess our own sins. The righteous will not live by criticism and judgmentalism, but the righteous will live by faith (Romans 1:17).
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Luke 18:9-14 in Rhyme
9 He spoke now to some who trust in themselves
They’re “righteous” but despise everyone else
10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray
A Pharisee and a man gone astray
11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed
‘I thank you God, I’m not like those who’ve strayed
Robbers, evildoers, adulterers
I’m not even like this tax collector.’
12 ‘I fast twice a week and give a tenth part.’
13 “But the tax collector stood quite apart
He wouldn’t even look up to heaven
Saying, ‘God, may I please be forgiven?’”
14 “I tell you that this man, and not the other
Went back home justified and in order
Those who exalt themselves will be humbled
Those humbling themselves will be exalted.”
Lectionary Commentary
Joel 2:23-32
Joel prophesied about the day of the Lord as an army of locusts like the plague in Egypt. Israel should call a solemn assembly, and pray for mercy. The prophet predicts a future when they will be back in the land of promise and their lives will be fully restored.
Joel gives hope in the midst of crisis: rain, grain, wine, oil, homes, businesses, smiles, laughter, justice, freedom, and feasting! We are not perpetually in death and destruction. We are Easter people with a hope for restoration in dire situations! The Lord IS our God and there is no other.
Psalm 65
David reminds us to be thankful. The Jews had three seasons of thanksgiving: Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. The Sunday of Passover a wave sheaf was offered in thanks for the barley harvest. On Pentecost first-fruits of wheat loaves were offered. The Feast of Tabernacles included thanks for the fall harvest.
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
These are the final words of a seasoned minister, about dying well, forgiveness and hope. Paul’s life for Christ is complete, poured out in worship. Everlasting life, death and the grave are freedom from sin. Paul calls the Christian life a marathon with the prize given to all who finish.
The great desire of Paul’s heart was the hope of eternal life. Forgiveness because of God’s faithfulness. He encourages young pastors and all Christians to finish well. Here is grace and encouragement to fight, finish and keep the faith. The victor’s crown is reserved for all who love his appearing.
