Despising and Despised
The parable referred to in Luke 18:9 is the one about the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee is self righteous and despises the publican. On the contrary, the publican realizes that he is a sinner and pleads for God’s mercy and thereby, he is exalted.
The word of God is the double – edged sword. Self righteousness and pride are less desirable to God when compared with humility. As believers, we must be very careful not to despise anyone lest we lose favors from God. Romans 12:3 instructs “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think”. The perception of most human beings about God is far from reality. The Bible gives a lot of instances to this. We can meditate on a few.
Genesis 29 shows how Jacob considered Rachel to be significant and the object of his love. Verse 31 says, “the Lord saw that Leah was hated”. Leah continued to be steadfast in love for her husband and her devotion to God. So God blessed her with six children and Rachel remained barren for a long time. Leah found favour in the eyes of God, though despised by her husband.
I Samuel 16:11 shows how David is almost a forgotten son of Jesse. Samuel at the time of anointing the next king of Israel asks Jesse “Are here all thy children? And he said there remaineth yet the youngest” who tends the sheep. Samuel anoints David for he is chosen by God.
Judges 6:15 shows Gideon thinking of himself as “the least in my father’s house” when God considers him as a “mighty man of valor” in Judges 6:12. John 4 speaks of the Samaritan woman who is looked down upon by the Jews and by many in the village. That is the reason she comes to the Jacob’s well at an odd time. When she meets Jesus, He transforms her into an evangelist who leads many to Christ the Messiah.
I had to appear for an interview once. That time, I had neither Ph.D. nor enough experience. When I saw the other candidates with more qualifications and experience I did not have much hope. But I prayed and depended on God. Even today, I can witness that God selected me on merit.
The Bible teaches us how the Lord looks at an individual despite the perception of one’s own self or family members or society. As a Child of God, we must seek His grace to look at others as He sees them. At the same time when we are despised and treated as insignificant we can be sure that we will receive favour from God which is better than that of man. In our lives we might have come across situations when God blessed us beyond our own expectations. We must thank God for his mercies are everlasting.
Dear God,
Help us to rely on you when we are despised. Help us to trust that your eyes are on us to exalt us in front of those who despise us. Lord, we humble ourselves before you. Give us grace to consider the best in others and never to despise any of your creations. Amen.
G.S. Angelin AOJ Trichy