Reading Plan:
Luke 18

Author: Gray Strickland

It is almost impossible not to compare. We compare cars, houses, spouses, kids, vacations. You name it, and we can compare it. While those comparison traps are familiar and obvious, today’s passage provides a warning to us about another comparison trap that is far more dangerous.

Luke opens with this statement, “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told a parable." In this passage, Jesus introduces a spiritual comparison trap, one that keeps us from experiencing the grace of God.

Jesus tells a story of two men, a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee represents a professional do-gooder, someone who knows the rules and keeps the rules. These are not in and of themselves terrible things, but they fostered pride and arrogance within the Pharisee. The other was a tax collector. Tax collectors were known for exploiting their own people and were considered crooks. These two men represented two extremes in Jewish culture. The Pharisee was assumed close to God because of his righteousness, and the tax collector was presumed to be far from God because of his unrighteousness.

The Pharisee comes to God comparing himself, not to God’s standard, but to the tax collector and other “less than” people in his culture. He highlights their sins while elevating his righteousness. The tax collector stood at a distance and simply begged for God’s mercy because he did not believe himself to be worthy.

Jesus says, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.” With this statement, Jesus is flipping the established order. While the word “grace” is not mentioned in this parable, this story illustrates an important reality about grace.

Before we can receive God’s grace, we must first realize we need God’s grace.

The Pharisee is in no position to receive the grace of God simply because he doesn’t think he needs it. He is disillusioned with his own righteousness, believing that he could actually be righteous enough.

How does he come to this conclusion? The comparison trap. He compares himself to those who he views as less than himself. This spiritual comparison trap is incredibly dangerous! It leads us to believe our righteousness is enough, that we could actually earn our way to heaven. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No one can earn it, but as long as we think we are earning it, we aren’t able to receive it because we don’t see a need for it!

On the other hand, the tax collector knew his true state before a holy God. He knew he was not worthy or righteous, and yet Jesus says this man was justified before God. The word justified means not only that he was forgiven, but also that he was given a new standing before God - a righteous standing, not by his works, but by God’s grace.

On Monday, we read Ephesians 2:8-9. Again, today the Apostle Paul’s words drive this truth home, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

In his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning says, “My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ, and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.” The tax collector knew this as well. He knew he was at the mercy of God and that he couldn’t earn God’s grace. That knowledge placed him in a position to receive God’s grace! This is why grace is so amazing!

Reflection & Response:

• Why do you think the comparison trap is so easy to get caught in?
  
• Have you come to a point where you realize your need for God’s grace in your life? If you have, take time to give God thanks. If you have not, maybe today could be the day! Pray something like this, “Father, I recognize my need for a Savior. I recognize that I could never be good enough and that my sin separates me from you. Today I want to place my faith in the finished work of Christ for my salvation. Thank you for the gift of salvation!”
  
• If you prayed that prayer, we would love to know! On the Venture Church app, there is a digital communication card. If you would, take a moment and fill it out so we celebrate with you and join you on your faith journey!
  

HAVE KIDS?

Family Application: Not better or worse just different.

• In Luke 18 Jesus tells us about not comparing ourselves. It can be really easy to compare ourselves to others but we have to fight the temptation to compare and ask for God’s help not to compare ourselves to others.
  
• Here is the good news! Jesus went to the cross for all of us so that even when we choose our way of comparing ourselves to others instead of God's way of loving people and not comparing ourselves, He made a way for us to be rescued. God’s rescue plan was to send Jesus to take our place on the cross. Then, three days later, Jesus came back to life and rescued us from our sins. Ask your kids if they want to respond to this truth that Jesus came for us, died for us, and then raised us from the dead so that we could have a relationship with Him.
  
• Spend time as a family praying for each other. Ask God to help your family not to compare themselves to someone else.