Luke 18:9-14 Common English Bible

Have you ever been in a store and questioned the description and/or price for an item?  In most cases the item has been mislabeled.  Sometimes people mislabel each other and we even we can mislabel the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Mislabeling happens when we intentionally or unintentionally deviate from the original intent of the purpose.  Mislabeling is typically a misrepresentation of the matter before us.

Jesus introduces two characters in this parable.  One is a Pharisee, a protector of the Law and the other a tax collector, an abuser of the Law.  Both are human and believe what they are doing in their lives truly matter.  However, both have conjured in their minds a self-evaluation while in the temple.  Both desire to pray to God.  One sees himself as righteous and the other as unrighteous.  Both are mislabeled!

Jesus desires that we…

Become transparent!
Jesus told this parable to certain people who had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone else with disgust:   Luke 18:9

Focus on self!
“The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else—crooks, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.’”   Luke 18:11

Confess our mess!
 “‘I fast twice a week.  I give a tenth of everything I receive.’  But the tax collector stood at a distance.  He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to look toward heaven.  Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God, show mercy to me, a sinner.’”  Luke 18:12-13

Hear the W.O.W., the Words of Wisdom,
“Jesus Justifies!”