The Jerk
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 18:9-14.
Mirriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines jerk in relation to a person as: “an annoyingly stupid or foolish person.” My own personal definition of “a jerk” is someone who believes they are better than everyone else, and is purposely cruel, mean, or selfish; resulting in inconvenience at the least, or harm in the worst manifestation of jerkiness to those who encounter them. A jerk most likely sees himself or herself, as being the center of the universe. When the jerk encounters anything they do not like in their universe, they take it out on anyone or thing that happens to be nearby.
The Pharisee, is in prime form as a jerk, believing he is far better than any anyone else. Most likely we would like to have him in our churches. After all he does not engage in public sinfulness (other than pridefulness) and he tithes. However, it is the tax collector who exhibits the humility that God loves and blesses.
Anyone who has any form of power or authority has the ability to be a jerk. Thankfully most do not succumb to the temptation. But for those who do here is the warning Jesus sends: “I tell you, this man (the tax collector) went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” In other words you may think you are something in your own eyes but what does God see?
The apostle Peter tells us how not to be a jerk: “Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time (1 Peter 5:5b-6).”
If you know someone who is a jerk pass this devotional along to them, PLEASEEE!!!
(Do you know someone who thinks that they are the center of the universe? It may be that they fit the description of a jerk.)