The Pharisee, praying to himself, said, ‘Oh God! I thank you I am not like them. Some people are thieves. Some lie and cheat on their spouses. Some have sex with strangers. Some spam call us at dinnertime. Some vote for the other party. Some have cushy jobs in the government or don’t work at all. I am so glad I am not like them. I’m religious, don’t you see? Oh God…
But the tax collector, feeling too humble to approach God’s altar, says, ‘Be merciful to me, for I know I am exactly like everyone else. I am a sinner!’
(Bill’s paraphrase of Jesus’ story in Luke chapter 18)
Jesus tells this story in a religious context. He might have been just outside a synagogue or near Jerusalem’s famous temple. Likely, there were two kinds of people in his audience; the comfortably wealthy Pharisees, and the common folk who lived fearfully in this world, not knowing when the next famine would kill their children, or war would take their sons, or unknown law would land them in jail. These folks had reason to fear God. Why? All they knew of God was that he was powerful, like the men who ruled their country. The Pharisees constantly reminded them they were not good people. Some had even heard a Pharisee pray thus to himself, “I am glad I am not like so and so…”
Next Sunday, when the preacher climbs into the pulpit, she will face a similar division in her congregation. What should she say? Say what Jesus said:
…those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. – Luke 18:14
Jesus doesn’t always have to be read in a religious context. What he says can be said anywhere. It’s not just Pharisees and tax collectors; it’s Republicans and Democrats, employed and unemployed, housed and homeless, patriots and immigrants, country music lovers and punk rockers. We divide them from us. We do it when we are driving, and someone passes us driving fast and texting. “At least I am not like them,” we say, pointing at the departing tail lights. We go to work, passing a homeless person on the sidewalk. “At least I am not like them; I have a job to go to.” Or we allow those we elect to government to say it; “At least I am not like them; I was born a citizen of this country.”
Perhaps not yet, but soon; those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Take hope. Be humble. Resist. Amen.