Because of the way Luke tells it, it is hard to judge what he added and what Jesus said. The most, what Jesus said bit for me is,
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ Luke 18:10-13 NRSV
Without the scaffolding, I put myself in the story and ask Jesus to examine my heart.
I wonder at the explanation in Luke as it seems so obvious. But the Pharisee was praying in the tradition of his day; he probably thanked God each morning that he was not a woman or a slave. And the Tax collector, he too was in his rightful place according to the traditions.
The parable for me cuts through this and says, the only place that matters is our place before God, not our standing before men.
… for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 NRSV
The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 2 Timothy 2:11-14 NRSV
Jesus teaches us to love God and love people even as far as loving our enemies. Christians wrangling amongst themselves denies this truth and is ruinous.
God can only deny and give people up to the desires of their hearts… to be right in their own eyes. This is a reality check.
The letters to Timothy are about contention, strife and arguing, a denial of the gospel.
Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me. I cried aloud to him, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the words of my prayer. Psalms 66:16-19 NRSV
Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous— therefore judgment comes forth perverted. Habakkuk 1:3-4 NRSV
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. Psalms 37:7-9 NRSV
Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 NRSV
Lots of interesting talk today around these readings. How we react to Jesus’ words speak deeply while on the surface they seem so simple. What is God’s work? A deep calling indeed, a call to duty. I’m not so sure, faith calls us beyond duty, love is beyond duty, but starts somewhere.
As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NRSV
What does being haughty look like? Seeing ourselves as better than others because of what we possess. Maybe not seeing those who are less prosperous than ourselves.
And this future life?
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. Luke 16:19-23 NRSV
It’s a cautionary tale. We mustn’t lose sight of the God who is love, who wills our good. God loves each of us and we are sent out with a blessing to bless.
When we fail he restores us and he opens our eyes through his presence. We are each called to a better life, a way of being that we were always made for. And all creation calls out to us; what is made and what is within, calls us to do good. No one has any excuse. For me this is the point, the blessing is that all creation draws us to the good, if only we would listen.
There are times of trial and the good paths we enjoy may blind us to the good we might do. This is the danger of riches.
A daily practice of prayer alerts us to temptation, as our eyes are opened and we really see what is needful and we need not fear evil.
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall; who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David improvise on instruments of music; who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Amos 6:4-6 NRSV
We really do need God’s presence to guide us. We easily lose sight of what is at our door and fail to care, fail to welcome, fail to help. We are called by the beautiful to be just and bring hope. Hospitality and generosity, a welcome and a kind word, the offer of a way forward together inspires. God is on our side, strengthening our faulty steps and lifting us up so that we can take hold of the life that is true life. In the most dismal of circumstances God is with us and in us, to richly provide for our enjoyment of abundant life.
…The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord! Psalms 146:7-10 NRSV
“For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good.” Jeremiah 4:22 NRSV
I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:12-14 NRSV
So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:3-7 NRSV
Love is not desire — it is to will the good of others. … We love something or someone when we promote it’s good for its own sake.
Dallas Willard
In this week in our United Kingdom, might we understand more what good looks like? From all the comments after the death of our dear Queen it is evident that as a nation we reach out for goodness. As people of all nations, we yearn that good will be done and celebrate the good. Yes hearts are corrupt and people are broken, we are broken, but we know what good looks like.
True goodness is found in God, who is love. Good calls us to the good.
This morning we felt to pray that those in power would be broken by love and speak freely of its power, that in the name of Jesus good would be done.
Takeley Chapel 