There was a very lost, rebellious man who lived with his wife in a luxurious apartment. To some people he was a con artist. He cheated on his taxes and avoided paying taxes at all costs. He was often guilty of adultery.

His business interests were taking such a hit that he knew he had to do something to survive. He decided to become a member and join the church that was a few blocks away from his penthouse. He had never been a member of a church in his life, but he had the driver of his limo drop him off there the next Sunday morning.

The people in the congregation who knew him were very surprised to see him walk in. He asked the senior pastor if he could give a public testimony that morning about joining the church. The pastor said that this was often done and he invited him to speak to the congregation.

The man told the congregation that he wanted to become a member of the church and join their congregation. He said that he always helped the poor and gave generously to many charities. He mentioned that he never defrauded anyone or ever spoke ill of anyone. In all honesty, he said, he had a hard time recalling his ever committing many sins in his life.

When he finished his public testimony, the congregation was impressed with his words and they readily accepted him. He filled out the membership card, stayed for the services and then had his limo driver take him home.

When the man returned home, he mentioned to his wife where he had gone and what he had done. Since she was a very godly woman, she exploded. She excoriated him for being such a hypocrite, saying all he had said, was simply to help his business interests. She demanded that he go back to the church the next week and confess what he really was. Well, God used his wife to really break him, and he took it to heart.

The next Sunday his limo driver took him back to the church. He asked the senior pastor if he could once again talk to the congregation. He told him he could. This time the man confessed to his sins. He told them he was dishonest, often lied, cheated on his taxes and was an adulterer. He ended by saying that he was sorry.

When they heard all of this, the senior pastor and the congregation revoked his membership on the spot. They just sat there until he walked out the door.

After the man got into his limo, he settled down and said to his driver: “These church folks are really strange. Last Sunday I told them one lie after another and they welcomed me and took me right in. Today, when I told them the truth, they kicked me out!”

In yesterday’s Gospel (Luke 18: 9-14), Jesus addresses what you just read in the above story by telling the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

Jesus says that the Pharisee tried to talk himself INTO God’s Kingdom – but he didn’t make it. The Tax Collector tried to talk himself OUT of the Kingdom of God – and he made it.

Jesus sees through everyone and everything – all the time. You can fool human beings, even congregations – but you can’t fool Jesus, no matter how hard you try.

The congregation did not see it the first week when the man was being a Pharisee. He was arrogant and craving attention…..Just like the man in the Parable of Jesus who was telling everyone how great he was.

Jesus sees the Pharisee and the man in the church for what they are – both are Pharisees. Jesus sees both of their hearts. Jesus sees that neither one is great. They just have big mouths. The Pharisee in Jesus’ Parable liked to point out people, like he points to the Tax Collector and says, “O God, I thank you I am not like the rest of humanity….or even like this Tax Collector.”

Who does Jesus take notice of? Who does Jesus see? Jesus sees the Tax Collector in the corner, shunned by the congregation. Why does Jesus see him? Why does Jesus point him out to us? Because HE is the one Jesus wants us to be like. A person who recognizes that he or she is a sinner and who humbles himself or herself. “The one who humbles himself will be exalted,” Jesus says at the end of the Gospel.”

Jesus may well be telling us about our world today. We may well have to take a look at our congregations and what they are doing or not doing. Some are SO WILLING to accept the lies and a  liar, but they are NOT WILLING to accept the sinner when he confesses his sins.

I know I have to take a good look at MYSELF. Am I ready and willing to follow what Jesus is saying to me and follow the ways of Jesus. Or am I too willing to follow the Pharisees in my life and what they are telling me. The choice is entirely up to ME.  How about YOU and YOUR life? Who do YOU want to follow?

By Medard Laz

JESUS CANNOT FILL YOU WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY SO FULL OF YOURSELF!!

Please share today’s Message with others. Hopefully it will lead to a good discussion about what is happening in our world today.