Less Than People

Luke 15:1-2

Let's admit it, we all make conscious and unconscious judgments of people every day. Many of these may not be "bad" or even wrong, but they can be. This week we will finish our teaching series with one final subject: self-righteousness. Our reading this week contains one of the most famous teachings of Jesus. But, before we get there, we need to set the stage. Our reading today is the key to understanding this whole chapter. Luke opens the scene for us with "tax collectors and sinners" gather around to hear Jesus teach while "Pharisees and teachers of the Law" mutter and complain. This two-sided audience is the most important detail to properly interpreting the chapter. Jesus is not just teachings sinners or just responding to Pharisees, He is speaking to both groups at the same time. Notice, the Pharisee group's response to Christ teaching this particular crowd. "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." This is an attempt on the part of the Pharisees to make themselves better or greater than the sinful people in the crowed Jesus is teaching. Clearly, the religious teachers see themselves as better or greater than the of half of the group as they have taken the position which they are able to rightly judge themselves as righteous and the rest as sinners. This is where the heart of self-righteousness becomes so dangerous. It begins to degrade others who aren't like you until you are tempted to see them as "less than" people. We must fight this. Jesus did not see the tax collectors and other sinners as any less worthy of his time. We should follow His example today. 

Prayer: 
Holy Spirit, please help me look into my heart and be honest about the kinds of judgments I regularly make about other people. Help me to have a heart that is renewed by Your guidance and treats everyone the way You would. Thank You Lord, Amen. 

Reflection: 
What individuals or groups of people do you think of as "Less Than People" (even if you never admit it out loud)?