PASTOR’S CORNER, Rev. Jason Toombs, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Liberal
There are many places in our world where worship is centered on the individual, rather than on God. I’m not talking about at church, I’m talking about in the workplace, at school, and even in the home. There are many in the world with a mindset of “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” They don’t care about past accomplishments; they want more praise, more attention, and more adoration. I’m talking about the pets that many adore.
Yes, they can bring much love, but they can also bring headaches. They want pets, on their terms, with their conditions, and you’d better give them the cuddles they want, or you will not hear the end of the commotion. They are much like kids in the fact that they want what they want, when they want it; otherwise, everyone will know they are upset. Grumpy pets and grumpy kids, let alone grumpy spouses, grumpy parents, and grumpy bosses.
Some in the world are never satisfied with others, maybe not even with themselves. Yes, they will boast in their accomplishments, but they strive to do better, be better, and never quit working on themselves. Yet, others know their limitations and do things to the best of their ability and humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, and rely on Him and His mercy all their days. This is what Jesus has in mind when He speaks of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, or Publican if you prefer.
The Pharisee had his religiosity on full display before the crowd. You can hear as he gloats about his accomplishments in his prayer before men, though set apart by himself, away from those who were not like him, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.”
He distances himself from the common man, as he is not common. He thinks he is superior to those who are beneath him. Yet all that foolish pride has gone to his heart and ruined him before God. Yes, he has set himself apart, but that is the same thing that Lucifer did long before.
The fall of Lucifer was great, as he fell like lightning from heaven. The fall was long, falling from before God’s throne to being separated from the love of the LORD God. The fall was swift, as he was excluded from the heavenly reality that is paradise blest. He was thrown down, yet he still has much pride in his heart, and it bubbles over toward mankind.
The devil stirs up pride, arrogance, and religiosity in the heart of those who think they are better than others. We can be tempted to think that we are better than others, but we are sinners. Sinners to the core; sinners who need something from God.
This is what the Publican has in mind. He knows his weakness. He knows the strength of God saves, as this is what God has promised: Those who look to me are blessed. He prays, standing far off, away from the immediate presence of God, beating his breast, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
The Tax Collector acknowledges who he is, “a sinner,” and what he needs from God, “be merciful to me.” This is the prayer that is heard. The Pharisee’s so-called prayer is anything but a prayer; it is a boast as he is gloating about his accomplishments. But the Tax Collector’s prayer is heard as he relies on the merciful justification of God.
We should probably unpack the word justification. Some people mistakenly think that justification means, “Just As If I Never Sinned.” It does not get down to the nitty-gritty details of what happens. For justification to happen, Christ Jesus needs to go to Calvary to lay down His life for the guilty sinner. Yes, God wipes away sins, not counting them where there is no trespass, but it is not wiped away; the sin is placed upon Christ.
Christ Jesus takes the sin into Himself. He becomes the guilty sinner as He is hanged upon a tree for your sins and trespasses. Justification is literally the favor of God on account of Christ. Because Christ takes your place in death, you are accounted righteous. Christ takes your sin and gives you His righteousness. This is the blessed exchange, the gift of God.
You are forgiven because of Christ taking your place in death. You are forgiven as the absolution flows from heaven. You are forgiven of your misdeeds as Christ suffers for you. Those who gloat are humbled, and those who humble themselves receive mercy from the G.O.A.T.
