The Right to be Wrong Part 3 “The Best and Worst in Us” Traditional Service Livestream

We’re always looking for a shortcut. 5 easy steps to financial freedom. 3 keys to a stronger marriage. 10 traits all good leaders possess. The most important 7-word prayer in the Bible.

You get the idea. Except that last one is in the Bible.

A 7-word prayer that changes everything.

But according to Jesus, this 7-word prayer is not a shortcut. But it does cut to the heart of the matter.

Two men show up in the Temple. Two men who couldn’t be more opposite of each other. They come from vastly different places in life. One is a highly respected, righteous Pharisee who strives to do what is right. He obeys the letter of the Law, fasts twice a week, and tithes ten percent. The other is a tax collector, despised by his own people and unworthy of God’s grace or love.

How different are they?

·       The Pharisee strides into the temple with all the confidence of a self-righteous man.

·       The Tax Collector couldn’t bring himself to be anywhere near the altar, so he “stood at a distance.”

·       The righteous man stood up; the sinful man looked down.

·       The Pharisee prayed loudly “about himself.”

·       The Tax Collector could barely pray at all.

The best he can blurt out is a pain filled 7-word prayer of resignation, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

That’s it. And Jesus says, that’s the kind of prayer God hears.

Religion can bring out the best and the worst in us. In its best form, religion brings about care, compassion, service, sacrifice, and humility. In its worst version, it produces self-righteousness, cruel judgement, unmerited superiority, and arrogance. Two people went up to the Temple to pray…. One uses God to further his own status, the other is humble enough to be used by God.

The point of the story seems obvious. It’s right there, plain as day.

How could we possibly miss it?

Except we do.

God have mercy on us….