January 20, 2022 — ““Big Wig” (Luke 18:9-14)

^“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

“Big Wig”

A big wig is generally thought of nowadays to be a person of high repute, a wheeler and dealer, or someone who is a prominent leader. So, where did this phrase some from? Back in the day, men and women used to only take baths twice a year (as bad as that sounds). Women would cover their hair so it didn’t get as dirty. Men would shave their heads and wear wigs. Their wigs were not washable, so they would hollow out a loaf of bread, place the wig inside and bake it. This would kill any lice or bugs in the wig. The wig would come out big and fluffy due to the moisture and heat inside the loaf of bread. This is how the term “big wig”came into existence. Also interesting side-note is that the term “to pull the wool over someone’s eyes”,which we know means trying to fool someone, came into existence because it was referencing pulling a man’s wig over his eyes, in effect, blinding him to what you did not want him to see.

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is one of my favorites. It brings to light the difference of someone who lives with true humility and someone who lives within the height of hubris. Jesus says: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Why some people see themselves as “big wigs”, as more righteous, more faithful, and closer to G-d than others is part of the human existence. There will always be people who see themselves as “better”. Jesus asks us to humble ourselves, and to take the last seat rather than the seat of honor. We should live in a manner where Jesus will be the one to call us higher – not our own hubris.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, you call us to live a different way – a different way of thinking, of living, and of being. Give us humble attitudes of service and love. Amen.

Pastor Dave