that special
by jennifer benson schuldt 

read: Luke 18:9-14
Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (v.14).

more:
God opposes the proud but favors the humble. So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up (1 Peter 5:5-6).

next:
Why is it detrimental to criticize others and exalt ourselves? How does humility acknowledge our brokenness before God?

My mother is one of the most quotable people I know. Her quips usually make us laugh while poking us with a bit of truth. For example, when one of us spouts off about a minor achievement or takes on a me-first attitude, my mom is sure to say (with a smile), “You’re not that special.”

Jesus had a similar message for a group of listeners “who had great confidence in their own righteousness” (Luke 18:9). He told them about a Pharisee who barged into God’s presence with this so-called prayer: “I thank You, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. . . . I’m certainly not like that tax collector!” (v.11).

Picking on the tax collector and bragging about his goodness backfired on the religious leader because Jesus said, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled” (v.14).

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want God to look at me and think, Hmm . . . she needs to be humbled today. I’m so thankful that Jesus also said “those who humble themselves will be exalted” (v.14).

The tax collector in Jesus’ story knew how to humble himself. Beating his chest in sorrow, his prayer went like this: “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner” (v.13). Christ noted that this man was the one who returned home forgiven by God.

It’s no mistake that Jesus used the context of prayer to contrast humility with pride. When we pray like the Pharisee, our self-importance prevents us from connecting with God. The Bible says, “If God does not answer [people], it is because of their pride” (Job 35:12).

The good news is that humility opens God’s ears to our prayers. Those tearful, chest-beating encounters with God over our sin matter deeply to Him. But our brokenness is essential. As we bow low before Him, He can lift us up and assure us, “You are that special.”

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