Loving God, you invite us today to humble ourselves and to focus not on what we have done, but on what you have done for us.  Empower us by your Spirit to share your love with all people, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

            A bit of a survey, to begin with, for those of you who have ever attended confirmation classes:  Did any of you learn to trust in yourself because you are righteous?...  Did any of you learn to look at other people with contempt?...  Did any of you learn a prayer that begins, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people”?...   Did any of you learn a prayer that goes, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner”?...  Did any of you actually pay attention in confirmation classes?...

         Thank you for indulging me with your answers!  It sounds as though you might not have been in the audience when Jesus told the parable that we heard this morning.  We are going to delve into it a little bit more in a moment, but I’m guessing that Ryan is praying that he doesn’t have to wait too much longer to share his faith statement.  I’ll invite him to come and share it with you now.

[Faith Statement]

         When we hear today’s parable, most of us know – almost instinctively – that the Pharisee’s prayer doesn’t sound quite right.  We would be quite surprised to learn that anybody had actually been taught to thank God that they are not like other people.  However, the people who first heard this parable would have seen nothing wrong with the Pharisee’s prayer.  In fact, it is based on a real prayer (Jeremias).  At the same time, the people would have been absolutely blown away that the tax collector’s prayer would have been enough to please God.

         The responses to Jesus must have included a whole pile of “buts.”  But Jesus, the Pharisee was doing even more than he needed to do under the Law.  But Jesus, the tax collector didn’t even pay everything back after defrauding people!  But Jesus, there was nothing wrong with the Pharisee’s prayer!  But Jesus, why would God be pleased with a sinner rather than somebody who keeps the Law?

         Part of the key to understanding this parable is in the very first verse that we heard today: Jesus “told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt” (Lk. 18:9).  They trusted in themselves rather than in God, and they were focused on the sins of others.  It is true that fraud and stealing and adultery are sins, but so is self-righteousness!

         As we celebrate Affirmation of Baptism today, you will notice that Ryan is not going to stand up and proclaim all of the things that he is going to do, as well as what he has already done.  While it is true that he will be asked some questions, responses are “I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.”  “We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.”  We don’t live out our faith all by ourselves.

         At the same time, just like at baptism, we will pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit, for none of us are able to proclaim the good news, or serve all people, or even live among God’s faithful people without the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us.  It is the Spirit who gives us the words for prayer.  It is the Spirit who convicts us of sin and prompts us to ask God’s forgiveness.  It is the Spirit who gives us the gifts that are needed in order to participate in God’s mission in the world.

         Today, then, we are invited to give thanks – not for what we have done, but for what God has done for us through Jesus.  For, regardless of what we have done, either good or bad, God comes to us in love, offering new life, healing and forgiveness – not just to us, but to all people.  Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!  Amen.

Lectionary 30C / Confirmation      Luke 18:9-14

October 23, 2022

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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