Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted

 Good morning. Jesus told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they

were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: two men went up to the temple to pray, one

a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself

(He definitely was not praying to God): God, I thank you that I am not like other people;

swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all

I get. His righteousness consisted of all the religious things that he did for God. This kind of

person defines righteousness in such a way that he or she definitely excels in those acts versus

those around him or her. But that tax collector, standing some distance away, was even

unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, God be merciful to

me the sinner. All of our righteousness is as filthy rags. I tell you, this man went to his house

justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who

humbles himself will be exhausted - I mean exalted. It’s all about attitude. Jesus tells the 12

that they are going up to Jerusalem and all the bad things that will happen to Him. I believe this

is where in John chapter 11 in Bethany beyond the Jordan they came to tell Jesus that Lazarus

was sick. We will continue with that thought tomorrow. Father thank You that our

righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisee. That is because our righteousness comes from

You.

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