My Daily Pause

Christ at Simon the Pharisee – 1620 – Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

“That person has done so much for me. I just love him!”

We remember those who have given us the most of themselves. Teachers, Coaches, Bosses – people who are in the position to give us something and stand out when they go above and beyond what was required.

When Jesus went to Simon the Pharisee’s house, the events played out to illustrate that part of our nature. (Luke 7:36-50) Esteeming people important to our success is fine, but here we have a warning of how we handle it as we mature past those needy times.

The more our situation improves, the harder it is to stay humble and remember those we esteemed so highly.

Simon thought he was bringing Jesus in to be examined and found the situation turned around on him. Simon, like most of the Pharisees, thought he was in a saved state just because he was a Jew. This goes a long way toward explaining why they had such a hard time accepting the Messiah.

It reminds me a little of the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. (Luke 18:9-14) When we can admit our shortcomings, it is easier to humble ourselves and look for a way to correct them. Jesus said there that the “humble will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

In the same way Jesus lifted the sinful woman…

just like his praise for the honest publican…

our forgiveness will be most abundant when we are humble in attitude.

Here’s the warning:

We are more likely to forget to pray when things are going good for us –

• When we have plenty of money
• When we feel like we are living “right”
• When our relationships are going smoothly

These are the times we might look at others in a judgmental way.

These are the times when we forget how much we need a savior.

Here’s the prevention:

We need to picture ourselves in the same place as the sinful woman or the publican.

When we do, we will be more likely to remember to keep Jesus in his esteemed place as our savior. Therefore:

• We will remember to love him actively.
• We will remember to talk to God often.
• We will remember to be genuinely thankful.

Most importantly…

We will remember to say, “The Lord has done so much for me. I just love him!”

³³ Respect for the Lord will teach you wisdom.
If you want to be honored, you must be humble. – Proverbs 15:33 NCV

Peter reiterates this for us (1 Peter 5:5-6). Was he perhaps thinking of the time the Lord washed his feet? (John 13:4-6)