And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.
Luke 18:9
At first I thought it was just coincidence that the word "snob" had surfaced in my vocabulary on three separate occasions this past week. Really it is not a word I use much or even a concept I think about very often. However, the "snob" in all of us surfaces at one time or another. So unfortunate especially when a snobs ugly head rears itself in the spiritual realm.
I note the scripture above speaks of "religious snobs". I had the unfortunate opportunity to witness such religious snobery this past weekend among my own church family. I was astonished, appalled and sickened in my spirit. I really did not think I went to church with folks of this mindset. Yes, I have witnessed snobery from others in my faith but not too much from my local assembly.
I had taken my family to an outdoor walking Easter drama a few years back at a Baptist church in our area. We really enjoyed it, so when I found out that this play was being held again this past weekend I asked the pastor about getting the whole church together on Saturday evening to go see it and he approved.
Now I will tell you that we are not Baptist. We have a completely different doctrine than the Baptists. That is apparently where things went wrong. Although each and every one of us knew that we were visiting a church that did not believe the way we do, for some reason there were a few in our group who thought it appropriate to demean these good folks and the efforts they made to share their "wrong" beliefs. Now there were really no one on one confrontations between us and them but there were some things being said and shared amongst our group about how "we had truth and they are telling lies" that I know the Baptist folks overheard and I was just so completely embarrassed.
From the beginning of the tour to the end, there were times when I felt like ditching my group and pretending that I was not associated with them. What's worse is I believe Jesus felt the same way...for this is the parable which he told to the "certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others"...
Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself. God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week. I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon 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 every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 18:10-14
Ouch!! It's not good when someone begins thinking more highly of themselves than they ought especially for those people who "have truth". In the eyes of the Lord it is a disgrace and he promises that they "shall be abased" or humbled, if you will. If any of my church family is reading this, I hope my little message does just that; humbles you. You can have all the truth you want but when you despise others you are no Christian. Christ would have never treated them that way. No one likes a snob!
I'm so embarrassed.
