The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

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.”

In this section of scripture, we see Jesus telling a parable to some folks who thought that they were awesome. They thought so highly of themselves that they looked down on everyone else.

Q. When have you found yourself looking down on others? When has your confidence gotten the better of you?

Jesus tells us here that our righteousness, our right standing with God, is not based on how well we perform in relation to others. It can be tempting to fall into the comparison trap and find it difficult to escape it.

Q. When have you found yourself comparing yourself to others? How about your faith?

Sometimes when we hear the amazing faith stories of others, we wish ours were as compelling.

Q. Do you rejoice in the faith of others or envy it?

God, Like the tax collector, we acknowledge our need for Your mercy. In the gentle whispers of this moment, help us release the burdens of self-righteousness and pride. Open our eyes to see ourselves as You see us—broken yet beloved, in need of Your grace.

Amen.