9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 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: 9-14; ESV)
Contempt: when there is something about who you are or something that you like about yourself, and then you use it as a way to believe that you are better than someone else.
Think about a time when you were treated with contempt, what was the reason?
Think about a time when you treated someone else with contempt, what was the reason?
Jesus tells this story, as a rebuke to those who would treat others with contempt. And so that you and I will know that he doesn’t look upon us with contempt.
Since Jesus himself was treated with contempt, what does the gospel teach us about how we should treat others?
Who are you in this story?
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
Shore Community Church 