1. From the Pastor’s study…
The Christian life is full of paradoxes – things that seem contradictory but really aren’t. Consider Paul’s declaration in Philippians 1:23, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better,” in relation to what he says about Epaphroditus’ near death in Philippians 2:27, “Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” At the same time the Christian desires to die and be with Jesus, and yet can be filled with sorrow upon sorrow when loved ones die.
Benjamin Morgan Palmer, a 19th century Presbyterian pastor in New Orleans, noted four more paradoxes in a series of articles in 1870. First, Christians possess deep reverence and awe before God, and at the same time a childlike confidence and boldness toward Him. Second, Christians are keenly sensible to the sorrows of this life, and at the same time have a great composure and peace of heart as we trust in God’s providential control over all things. Third, Christians are dead to this world and do not love the world or the things in the world, and yet have the truest enjoyment of the world. And finally, because we are forgiven sinners, Christians are filled at the same time with a profound humility, and a profound dignity in Christ.
Related to that last paradox is the one we find in Luke 18:14, the punchline in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Another way to say put it is that in Jesus’ kingdom, the way of advancement is the path of humility – the way up is the way down. The proud are out, while the humble are in.
But we don’t often think this way, do we? Like the Pharisees to whom Jesus told his parable in Luke 18:9-14, we tend to believe simplistically that that the good are in and the bad are out - and thus we “trust in ourselves that we are righteous, and view others with contempt” (Luke 18:9). Religious Jews would not have been amused by the idea of the Pharisee being rejected in God’s sight, and the tax collector being accepted by Him. But Jesus is clear: those who think they are good are out, while those who know themselves to be bad and cry to God for mercy are in.
Jesus’ parable shows us what true humility looks like: acknowledging God’s holiness and our sinfulness (as opposed to the Pharisee who compares himself to other people and focuses on all the supposed good things he has done); trusting in the mercy of God alone (the Pharisee trusted in his law-keeping and acted as if God owed him for his obedience, while the tax collector knew he needed a substitute to be the propitiation for his sins - to bear God’s wrath in his place); freely loving the sinners around us (unlike the Pharisee who despised those whom he imagined he surpassed in godliness). The two things always go together in pride - when we trust in ourselves that we are righteous, we will always view others with contempt.
Of whom do you think the way the Pharisee thought of the tax collector? “Lord, I thank you that I am not like _________.” To whom do you consider yourself superior, whether because of your theology, your skin color, your nationality, your cultural background, your wealth, your education, your intelligence, your political views? As you come to the Lord’s table this coming Sunday, remember that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. Never stop being amazed at the fact that you are a Christian, and never think that anyone is too lost to become a Christian.