July 5, 2020

Luke 18: 9-14

• And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
• Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
• The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
• I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
• And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
• I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Verse 9 

• Jesus was talking to certain people who…

• Trusted in themselves – that they were righteous – despised others
• Self-righteous: convinced of one’s own righteousness especially in contrast with the actions and beliefs of others:  narrow-mindedly moralistic
  • Take a minute and look up the synonyms for Self-righteous.  Too many to list! 
  • We may camp here for a while – ouch! 
  • It sure hurts when you realize that you are more like the Pharisees than you ever care to admit.  
• Despised:  feel contempt for; to look down on with disrespect; to regard as worthless;
  • Synonyms:  hate, detest, loathe, be repelled by, not to be able to bear/stand/stomach, find intolerable, dislike, scorn, look down on, shun……

Verse 10-14

• Two men
• Two postures
• Two prayers
• Two results