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SERVICE VIDEO (link)TEXT: Matthew 6:16-18; Luke 18:9-14\n\n\n\nJesus told parables in order to make a point \u2013 often an unexpected point \u2013 to his listeners. In the parable in Luke 18 today, he tells a parable \u201cto some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt.\u201d (v.9)\n\n\n\nDo you know anyone like that? Have you ever been like that?\n\n\n\nLet me substitute a word and ask again. A very close synonym for \u2018righteous\u2019 is \u2018right.\u2019\n\n\n\nDo you know someone who is sure that they are right and views others with contempt? Have you ever been like that?\n\n\n\nHmm\u2026 Jesus is meddlin\u2019.\n\n\n\nTwo Men (Luke 18:9-14)\n\n\n\nTwo men went up into the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee was very public and loud, \u201cpraying\u201d by thanking God how much better he was than other sinful people, even singling out the tax collector praying beside him. He also thanked God for his acts of fasting and tithing.\n\n\n\nIn contrast, the tax collector was some distance away with face down, praying, \u201cGod, be merciful to me, the sinner!\u201d\n\n\n\nIn parables, there is often a surprise, a turning of the tables. It\u2019s not particularly hidden in this parable. The Pharisee would have been expected to offer good and right prayers. The tax collector shouldn\u2019t have even been in the Temple. But their behavior is not what the audience would expect. The Pharisee is believably over-righteous, over-confident, showy, clearly in the wrong, though fasting, tithing, and praying are all good activities. It is clear that his attitude is all wrong. The tax collector, outcast and spurned by good Jewish people, would not be expected to be in the Temple (or very welcome). But there he is aware of and confessing his sinfulness and pleading for God\u2019s mercy.\n\n\n\nSo the tables have turned and the big \u2018twist\u2019 at the end is the reader being left pondering which character they more closely resemble. We are told in verse 9 that Jesus told the parable TO some people who trusted their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt. So, it\u2019s clear where the twist primarily lands. But suppose there were tax collectors, prostitutes, sick, or Gentiles who heard this. They would also hear the twist, but in the other direction; if they were humble before the Lord, they would be lifted up. This parable has a double twist.\n\n\n\nWait, Are You Talking to Me?\n\n\n\nSometimes it\u2019s easy to understand the teaching, but hard to find ourselves properly in the story. It\u2019s safe to be the all-knowing reader and think, \u201cOh yeah, look at him working both sides of the crowd.\u201d But where are we?\n\n\n\nLet me go back to my original word-substitution. Do you know someone who is sure that they are right and views others with contempt? Have you ever been like that?\n\n\n\nHmm\u2026 maybe now I\u2019m meddlin\u2019!\n\n\n\nMy mind immediately goes to politics and the deep divisions in our country and even sometimes between family and friends. I know what I think about this or that\u2026 immigration, racism, the economy, the Republicans, the Democrats, and with only a few exceptions I am surrounded by people who think the same. I\u2019m pretty convinced I\u2019m right and those other people are wrong. It\u2019s easy to slide into contempt and worse.\n\n\n\nImagine Jesus\u2019 parable set in modern terms. And let\u2019s substitute in both sides, because when it comes to this all have sinned.\n\n\n\n\u201cLord, thank you that I am not like those other people: selfish, manipulative, deceived, or even like that [fill in the blank] over there.\u201d I do this and I do that; I\u2019m one of the good guys!\n\n\n\nHave you been guilty of that kind of thinking? Even that kind of praying?! I admit that I have\u2026\n\n\n\nWhat does humility look like in our modern social and political context?\n\n\n\nWash Your Face (Matthew 6:16-18)\n\n\n\nIn the Matthew 6 passage, Jesus offers counsel regarding one of the practices the proud Pharisee mentions in his prayer in the parable. Jesus says, \u201cWhenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face\u2026 [to be noticed when fasting].\u201d \u201cBut you, when you