LOOK IN THE MIRROR

LUKE 18: 9-14

LOOK IN THE MIRROR

 “He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others....” Luke 18: 9 RSV.

“If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.” The Message.

Jesus came to teach us how to live each day in this, God’s world, and His words ring as true today as they did two thousand years ago. He told this story to some who were pretty complacent about themselves; He held a spiritual mirror up to them so that they could see exactly what their conduct meant.

Oh, yes....they worshipped, they tithed, they were morally pure, and very proud of it. They were NOT like all those OTHERS...

Confessing the sins of others is pointless. It only makes us feel better about ourselves. We rejoice that we aren’t as bad as they are; in fact, we seem pretty good by comparison. But Jesus doesn’t see us in comparison; he sees each one of us, eye to eye, heart to heart. He knows the sins of our neighbors, and He knows ours. We are only fooling ourselves when we look at others and rejoice that we do not do as they do. Look inside yourself and then honestly face Jesus.

Dear God: Please help us to see ourselves as we are and to seek your love and your guidance in all that we say and do. Amen.       

~ Jeanne Pritchard