Give Thanks Part 1

Just a few words this day before Thanksgivings. I often think of us as Americans... and think of Jesus' parable about the Pharisee and the Publican.

Jesus is speaking to his followers... and tells them a story of two men who go up to the temple to pray. One a Pharisee, and one a publican. Pharisee's being the men of the day who lived lives in strict adherence to the Law. Like the Sadducees, religious men of the highest respect. In perception of first century Palestine, models of how one should live a good life in the eyes of God. The publicans, on the other hand, were the tax collectors. They were despised of their brethren. The Jews of Jesus' day did not control their country, they were under imperial Roman rule... and the publicans were Jews who collaborated with the Roman empire in taxing the people. So, in choosing these two men for his parable... in the ears of his immediate audience, there is already a clear distinction... as far as how the people would perceive these two men.

The Pharisee goes up and says:

'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

The publican is said to have "stood afar off." He wouldn't even look his head up to heaven. He merely asked:

'God be merciful to me a sinner.'

And Jesus ends the parable by saying,

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

This would have seemed shocking to the people listening... How can a miserable slimy publican be "justified" rather than the Pharisee? The Pharisee's entire life is the work of God. He focuses on living a life in accordance to the Law of Moses. He is the religious leader of the day. This makes no sense.

Jesus didn't say, God forgave them both yet preferred the Publicans prayer more, but rather he said, the Publican went home "justified"(forgiven of sin) rather than the Pharisee. There was no humility in the heart of the Pharisee. He tilted his head upward to heaven, looked up to God and said "I am so glad that you made me like this... and not like him." The tone of his prayer was offensive. The stench of HUBRIS permeated his prayer. "I've done this... and this... and this... look at how good I am, Lord... not like that wretch in the back of the church."

If it was a problem in the poor socio-economic climate of first century Palestine(Israel), then surely it is always a problem the world over. But, as the richest nation on the planet, and as many say... the richest nation the world has ever known, we are ESPECIALLY susceptible to this thinking. I think each person must be ever vigilant! Many a person you talk to do not know humility, and have not seen or heard from him in many many years.

Many a person who holds the poor or impoverished in contempt...

"why can't they work harder like me..."

Many a religious person who holds the sinner in contempt...

"I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers..."

People who look upon what they've done... or who they are... and take great pride in themselves. Who look upon others and hold them in contempt.

Im not a fan of holidays, neither their original (usually PAGAN) incarnation or the silly way they have evolved and are conducted today... ESPECIALLY CHRISTMAS... however, at the heart of it... I do like the concept of Thanksgiving. Not just because of the football, though that is always a plus... but its not decayed and corrupted as the materialism centered Christmas.

If you dont believe me... dont give a single gift to anyone expecting one on Christmas, take any that are given to you, say "I pray that God blesses you" and give a smile and a hug, and see how "Jesus centered" all your closest friends will be then. Yeah, I didn't think so either. But, at the heart of it, Thanksgiving is suppose to be about giving thanks, being humble and appreciative. I can get with that.

So, I hope everyone thinks about that... not just on Thanksgiving, but everyday. To know the difference between sympathy and EMPATHY... to be able to see and understand everyone else's situation... to only go before God with a meek and humble heart... and to take no pride in ourselves... or our actions...

We must always keep a humble heart and think like Paul did when he struggled with his brethren, the children of God... the Israelites... who, unlike himself, had rejected the Christ... rather than judge them or hold them in contempt... he merely thought...

"if not for the grace of God... there... go... I..."