The Upside-Down Way

The Upside-Down Way

In Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable about two men who go to the temple to pray. One is a Pharisee, proud of his religious achievements, listing them off as proof of his righteousness. The other is a tax collector, a man despised by society, who simply beats his chest and cries out, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Jesus shocks His listeners by saying that it’s the tax collector—not the Pharisee—who goes home justified before God. Why? Because God doesn’t measure righteousness by outward actions alone, but by the posture of our hearts.

Pride tells us we can earn our way to God. Humility recognizes that we can’t. The Pharisee was focused on himself—his good works, his superiority over others—while the tax collector was focused on God’s mercy.

Jesus reminds us in today’s verse that “all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” The Kingdom of God turns human expectations upside down. Those who rely on their own goodness will miss it. Those who recognize their need for grace will find it.

True righteousness begins with humility—acknowledging our dependence on God. When we approach Him with a heart like the tax collector’s, we don’t just find mercy—we find true exaltation in His presence.