this man\u2019s prayer with the prayer of the tax collector<\/a>.<\/p>\nIt occurred to me today that this self-classification I\u2019m tempted to do when I read this story puts me in grave risk of the Pharisee\u2019s error. \u201cI am broken, like the second guy,\u201d I tell myself in a somber voice befitting my sense of deep humility. \u201cI\u2019m not like that self-righteous Pharisee\u201d.<\/p>\n
Um\u2026really?<\/p>\n
And just how do I assess this? Well, I am tempted to run a sort of nutty quiz in my head, like this:
(Check one)<\/span><\/span>
Do I pray like that Pharisee? Yes ___ No___ <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nDo I dress like that Pharisee? Yes___ No___ <\/span><\/p>\nDo I perform like that Pharisee? Yes___ No___ <\/span><\/p>\n(Fill in the blank)<\/span> Who do I know who is like that Pharisee? ________<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n(Essay question) Why am I a better, truer and more faithful Christian than this person? __________<\/span><\/p>\nAnd that unvoiced, arrogant self-assessment completely erases my awareness of my own brokenness, and renders meaningless the rending of my garments as I sorrow over my sinfulness.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thank God that I\u2019m not narrow-minded like ____\u201d
\u201cI thank God that I\u2019m not open-minded like ____\u201d
\u201cI thank God that I don\u2019t do _____ behavior\u201d
\u201cI thank God that I do _______ behavior\u201d<\/p>\n
Ugh. This parable today was a magnifying mirror. I engage in these sorts of comparisons, all the while convincing myself that I am not a Pharisee when I do.<\/p>\n
God have mercy on me, a sinner.
<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u2018I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don\u2019t cheat, I don\u2019t sin, and I don\u2019t commit adultery. I\u2019m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.\u2019 \u2013 Matthew 18:11-12 NLT It is oh, so obvious […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1449,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/a>