Daily Word Of God
Luke 18:9-14
Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being upright and despised everyone else, ‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like everyone else, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.”
The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This man, I tell you, went home again justified; the other did not. For everyone who raises himself up will be humbled, but anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Jesus contrasts two types of praying: the Pharisee is self-righteous and full of self-praise; the tax collector, aware of God’s Love and Mercy stands at a distance and pleads humbly for His forgiveness.
- How do we pray? Are our eyes fixed on God or on ourselves? Jesus makes clear that we should pray like the tax collector – with sincerity, humility and simplicity.
- In our prayers, remember to praise and thank God for His great love. When words fail us, just bring our contrite heart for Him to heal and fill with His love.