Word@Work Luke270 - Luke 18:9
Published: Thu, 01/13/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
HOLLOW CONFIDENCE
Luke 18:9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: (NIV)
We are told that it is good to be confident and have a positive attitude to life. There is some truth in that, as long as the confidence is based on what is true. However, Jesus was surrounded by self-righteous people who wrongly assessed that God was pleased with them, because they tried to keep all sorts of religious rules which God had never commanded, even though they despised many other people. They had such a high opinion of themselves that they regarded everybody else as morally and spiritually inferior. But they saw Jesus as a threat to their religious power over 'lesser people' because Jesus was welcomed by those who knew they were sinners and made no pretence of being holy.
The religious leaders were guilty of arrogance, because they thought they were better than others; they were guilty of ignorance because they did not realise that they were sinners in need of mercy; and also ignorant because they did not know that Jesus was God in a human body and, one day, would be their judge. They also forgot the Old Testament instructions to be humble and respect the poor.
Unfortunately, their sort of confidence is often admired in the workplace. It is seen in a commercial ruthlessness which some managers find attractive. It is easily spotted as people boast about what they can do and slander others. Wherever people meet together, these are the ones who are anxious to have the last word and have no concern to support the weak. They are everywhere: from building sites to barrack rooms, from hotel to hospital, at home and on holiday. You even find them in the church. Even before we study the parable, Luke's introduction is enough to tell us not to be like them. Let us stop to reflect on our relationship style and the state of our heart which makes us behave as we do, pray for mercy and ask for fresh grace to live differently.
Prayer: Almighty God, my Heavenly Father. Thank You for loving us enough to rebuke us, showing us where we go wrong. Please forgive me whenever I have thought that I am better than others, and when I have tried to support my pride by failing to honour those I live and work among. Please show me the sinfulness of my heart and give me a deep desire to relate with other people as Jesus did, full of grace and truth. May my business and social interactions demonstrate that I truly am a child of God. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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We are told that it is good to be confident and have a positive attitude to life. There is some truth in that, as long as the confidence is based on what is true. However, Jesus was surrounded by self-righteous people who wrongly assessed that God was pleased with them, because they tried to keep all sorts of religious rules which God had never commanded, even though they despised many other people. They had such a high opinion of themselves that they regarded everybody else as morally and spiritually inferior. But they saw Jesus as a threat to their religious power over 'lesser people' because Jesus was welcomed by those who knew they were sinners and made no pretence of being holy.
The religious leaders were guilty of arrogance, because they thought they were better than others; they were guilty of ignorance because they did not realise that they were sinners in need of mercy; and also ignorant because they did not know that Jesus was God in a human body and, one day, would be their judge. They also forgot the Old Testament instructions to be humble and respect the poor.
Unfortunately, their sort of confidence is often admired in the workplace. It is seen in a commercial ruthlessness which some managers find attractive. It is easily spotted as people boast about what they can do and slander others. Wherever people meet together, these are the ones who are anxious to have the last word and have no concern to support the weak. They are everywhere: from building sites to barrack rooms, from hotel to hospital, at home and on holiday. You even find them in the church. Even before we study the parable, Luke's introduction is enough to tell us not to be like them. Let us stop to reflect on our relationship style and the state of our heart which makes us behave as we do, pray for mercy and ask for fresh grace to live differently.
Prayer: Almighty God, my Heavenly Father. Thank You for loving us enough to rebuke us, showing us where we go wrong. Please forgive me whenever I have thought that I am better than others, and when I have tried to support my pride by failing to honour those I live and work among. Please show me the sinfulness of my heart and give me a deep desire to relate with other people as Jesus did, full of grace and truth. May my business and social interactions demonstrate that I truly am a child of God. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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