behold the lamb-2
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"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.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)
A few reflections on these verses of scripture:
Do we realize that “what” we do has nothing to do with our right standing in God?
They went to the temple to pray. The synagogue would have likely been closer but God resides, then as now, in the temple.
Their prayers were personal. Are we found praying about ourselves or for ourselves?
Are we righteousness enough to cry for forgiveness? Are we broken enough to look towards the sacrifice that was slaughtered for our salvation?
The one declare as righteous by Jesus was at the back not wishing to draw attention to himself.
Father, create a new hunger within me for you, for I am selfish. I confess my sin and look to Jesus as my only way of redemption. Be merciful to me. Open my heart and my eyes to your ways. Wash me, so I might reflect your pure light. AMEN.
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"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.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)
A few reflections on these verses of scripture:
Do we realize that “what” we do has nothing to do with our right standing in God?
They went to the temple to pray. The synagogue would have likely been closer but God resides, then as now, in the temple.
Their prayers were personal. Are we found praying about ourselves or for ourselves?
Are we righteousness enough to cry for forgiveness? Are we broken enough to look towards the sacrifice that was slaughtered for our salvation?
The one declare as righteous by Jesus was at the back not wishing to draw attention to himself.
Father, create a new hunger within me for you, for I am selfish. I confess my sin and look to Jesus as my only way of redemption. Be merciful to me. Open my heart and my eyes to your ways. Wash me, so I might reflect your pure light. AMEN.
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