Man to Self: Well there he sits, reading along with that self-satisfied look on his face. How can he not get that Jesus is talking to HIM here. He’s so oblivious. Just as oblivious to the word as he is to all the people he’s hurt or offended with that condescending, “I-know-the-Bible-better-than-you” tone he takes each time he gets offended at something, which is always…Heavens- he’s even raising his hand to make a comment, like he has anything productive to say on THIS passage. If I was the teacher, and wanted the class to make a list of the little things good natured people do innocently, that will actually condemn a person straight to hell, then I would be the first to call on HIM. I’m sure he has such a list taped inside the front cover of that eighteen pound King Jimmy he’s carrying……

Teacher to Congregation: We are talking this evening about two attitudes of prayer. Have you ever seen a movie where you hear the voice inside the character’s head, so you know what he is thinking? Well, Jesus does just that in Luke 18. Let’s begin reading where we left of last week at verse 10.

God to Congregation: Two men went to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people – swindlers, adulterers, or this tax gatherer. I fast twice a week and tithe all that I get’. But the tax collector standing some distance away was even unwilling to lift his eyes towards heaven, but kept beating his chest and saying ‘God have mercy on me, a sinner.’”

Man to Self: Well there he sits, reading along with that self-satisfied look on his face. How can he not get that Jesus is talking to HIM here. He’s so oblivious. Just as oblivious to the word as he is to all the people he’s hurt or offended with that condescending, “I-know-the-Bible-better-than-you” tone he takes each time he gets offended at something, which is always…Heavens- he’s even raising his hand to make a comment, like he has anything productive to say on THIS passage. If I was the teacher, and wanted the class to make a list of the little things good natured people do innocently, that will actually condemn a person straight to hell, then I would be the first to call on HIM. I’m sure he has such a list taped inside the front cover of that eighteen pound King Jimmy he’s carrying……It’s just like him to think he has something to teach the rest of us about the Pharisees – then again, he has an insider’s viewpoint, ha ha……He’s still talking, doesn’t he hear all those heaving sighs telling him we’re tired of his voice….drip, drip, drip….If I ever end up like HIM I hope someone will bludgeon me into silence…. I am NOT him, though, thankfully…..well, he finally stopped talking…..

Teacher to Bible Class: That’s an excellent point. Did we hear that, class? He said that when the Pharisee was comparing himself favorably to the tax collector, the Bible says he was praying to “himself”. When we indulge in this kind of “you’re-the-bad-guy-and-I’m-not” thinking we cease to either speak or to listen to God at all….

***MOMENT OF CLARITY***

Man to Self: “I am NOT him, though”….huh…I was really thinking that….

Man to God: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

God to Congregation: I tell you that this man went down to his house justified…for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted.