“Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.” But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.” Luke 18:31-34

“Christianity is not a collection of truths to be believed, of laws to be obeyed. Christianity is a person, one who loved us so much, one  who calls for our love. Christianity is Christ.” “Oscar Romero”

The text reads that Jesus tells the disciples what will happen to him in Jerusalem, but the text also tells us that the disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying. In fact the meaning was hidden from them. Then, at the ascension of Jesus in Luke 24:44 – 53, Jesus opens the minds of the disciples to understand the scriptures. 

We have a famous saying in our society today that goes something like this: hind sight is 20/20. The meaning of course is that we can better understand events that are taking place after the fact….once we have had some time to reflect on what has happened. While we do not always understand the events that we are currently involved in, at some point in time, later in the day or the week or even later in our lives, the purpose or the meaning of events can be better understood – as if a veil has been lifted from our eyes or our thoughts. 

Often times I pray asking G-d to help me understand what is happening – hoping that G-d will unlock the meaning of events while they are still happening or still fresh in my mind. There are some events to which we will never have the meaning unlocked for us, but, in general, G-d will give us the wisdom to understand all events at some point in our lives. The same is true for scripture – that is why we continue to study throughout our lives – for new and different meanings will come to us at different points in our lives.

Pastor Dave

^“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” (C. S. Lewis)

The Pharisee’s contempt for the tax collector is quite noticeable – actually his contempt for all “sinners” is quite noticeable, of which he does not consider himself. He thanks G-d that he is not like the others, those sinners, rather than praying for the “others”. His prayer is self-righteous, his attitude the same. C. S. Lewis names the disease of pride quite clearly, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”

Is it true: Grace is best be received by those who have learned empathy for others? I do believe it is true: the merciful receive mercy, and those who forgive can be forgiven. The Pharisee had enough religion, but he focused it on ritual – fasting and giving a tenth. Somewhere along the line he missed out on humility and loving his neighbor. People who are aware of their own need for forgiveness and grace will not be able to have contempt for others.

Pastor Dave