Creative Space for Wanderers
Luke begins this parable with Jesus’ definition of the Pharisee: “confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.” He doesn’t say all Pharisees fit this description, but it seems this is the typical Pharisee, one that everyone listening to the parable would relate to. The Pharisee draws attention to himself with audacious, …
Continue reading “Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector”
As I was praying this morning, I remembered a friend who is going through a particular battle that has taken a huge toll on her physically and emotionally. Then I logged onto my computer and saw the quote from Richard Foster from his book, Prayer. It is difficult to comprehend how prayer works, but we …
As Jesus was walking he was approached (at a responsible distance no doubt) by ten lepers. They shouted out “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” I assume they shouted because as lepers they would have been force into isolated groups. Jesus doesn’t hesitate. He heals them with a word and tells them to go and …
Jesus set the standard extremely high in verses 1-4 and the disciples respond: “Increase our faith.” Wow! The disciples are listening to Jesus describe what will happen to those who cause people to stumble and they get it–they will be held accountable. There will be a time when leaders will have to answer for their …
These few verses give us great reason to read and understand the Old Testament, the Law that was provided by God (as opposed to that which the Pharisees had created). Jesus defines a point in history that is before and after John the Baptist: Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages …