A Proper Look Down!

Those who have too lofty a view of themselves are generally found to “look down” on others. They often have difficulty understanding why others can’t pick themselves up like they have done and so treat them with contempt for their evident weakness. Besides the development of an improper view toward others, holding a self-righteous attitude also tends to distort the view of self, making it difficult to see what one’s own needs and failings truly are. Jesus came face to face with some who had placed their trust in their own selves ( Luke 18:9) and therefore told a parable to draw attention to the HEART condition that aids the eye in looking in the right direction.

Note Jesus’ contrast between two who prayed.
“(10) Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. (11) The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. (12) I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ (13) BUT THE TAX COLLECTOR, standing far off, WOULD NOT EVEN LIFT UP HIS EYES TO HEAVEN, but beat his breast, saying, ‘GOD, BE MERCIFUL TO ME, A SINNER!’ (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but THE ONE WHO HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED.” ( Luke 18:10-14 ESV)

As the Pharisee “looked down” upon this tax collector, perhaps he would have viewed him as one without a prayer. After all, he was seen as utterly sinful while the Pharisee viewed himself as having risen high above such. However, we might say the Pharisee didn’t have a prayer. What he offered appears to have been more of a brag session than a prayer. He did not appear to feel a need for the mercy of God. The Pharisee took an outward look, comparing his life to others, and then stood before God straight and tall in his own high estimation of himself. In great contrast, though the Pharisee stood up, the tax collector could not even look up. Instead, he took a “look down” within himself and HUMBLY BOWED before the One Who could grant him the forgiveness he needed. In HUMILITY he confessed his sinfulness and need for the mercy of God. Thus it was the HUMBLED HEART of the tax collector Jesus drew the attention toward as making it possible for him to go home justified.

Someone has said, “The prayer that ascends highest comes from the lowest depths of a humbled heart.” [source: list of sentence sermons] I think we can see the truth of that statement in Jesus’ parable. “LOOKING DEEP DOWN” WITHIN OURSELVES, our best prayer to God will be offered from the HEART HUMBLED before Him, as we trust Him to do what we know we cannot do ourselves.

Have a great day LOOKING TO BE LIFTED BY GOD!
Carl

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