Response Paper Parker's Back
Deceitfulness
We tend to form the first impression of a person by their physical appearance. We look at them and analyze what they wear, as we try to read their personalities. We analyze their body type, as we pre-judge them as lazy or as good stewards of their body. After knowing them a little more, we start paying attention about their behaviors and practices, and creating an image about the person with our own concepts. We tend to impose on ourselves what is right and wrong, and we follow this linear way of thought. Only God can read our innermost thoughts, and know our hearts. It is not up to us classify people, but love them. In Luke 18:9-14 has a story which exemplifies the contrast of two distinct people: the Pharisee and the tax collector. Culturally speaking and back in the time, the Pharisees were the religious leaders of the Temple. They memorized Scripture, prayed to God and fasted often (Luke 18:11 12). Jesus told the parable, and said that the Pharisees thanked God he was not like the tax collector, who were extortioners, unjust, adulterers (Luke 18:11). On the other hand, the tax collector was in such awe before God that he did not even want to look to the Heavens, for he did not think he was worth it. But then Jesus said in Luke 18:14, “ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” They were the ones people admired and thought had a relationship with God. On the other hand, there were the tax collectors. Tax collectors had the reputation of not having integrity, for they used to overcharge taxes from the people. They were known by being thieves and having no character; a reputation people did not desire to have. This contrast between the Pharisee and the tax collector shows that we cannot judge people by their appearances, because only God knows their innermost thoughts and the motives behind their actions.
We tend to form the first impression of a person by their physical appearance. We look at them and analyze what they wear, as we try to read their personalities. We analyze their body type, as we pre-judge them as lazy or as good stewards of their body. After knowing them a little more, we start paying attention about their behaviors and practices, and creating an image about the person with our own concepts. We tend to impose on ourselves what is right and wrong, and we follow this linear way of thought. Only God can read our innermost thoughts, and know our hearts. It is not up to us classify people, but love them. In Luke 18:9-14 has a story which exemplifies the contrast of two distinct people: the Pharisee and the tax collector. Culturally speaking and back in the time, the Pharisees were the religious leaders of the Temple. They memorized Scripture, prayed to God and fasted often (Luke 18:11 12). Jesus told the parable, and said that the Pharisees thanked God he was not like the tax collector, who were extortioners, unjust, adulterers (Luke 18:11). On the other hand, the tax collector was in such awe before God that he did not even want to look to the Heavens, for he did not think he was worth it. But then Jesus said in Luke 18:14, “ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” They were the ones people admired and thought had a relationship with God. On the other hand, there were the tax collectors. Tax collectors had the reputation of not having integrity, for they used to overcharge taxes from the people. They were known by being thieves and having no character; a reputation people did not desire to have. This contrast between the Pharisee and the tax collector shows that we cannot judge people by their appearances, because only God knows their innermost thoughts and the motives behind their actions.