Rapha & Yada - "Be Still & Know": Reimagined

As we draw nearer to Holy Week, I wanted to share a passage of Scripture from Luke 18:9-14 that spoke to me this week: 

9 [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The opening verse of this passage is the key that unlocks everything that follows. It is not simply about two individuals at prayer; it is a message to all those who embrace the sin of certainty. 

The Pharisee’s prayer is polished, confident, and full of religious accomplishment. Yet it is also closed. There is no room for grace because there is no awareness of need. The tax collector, by contrast, stands at a distance, unable even to lift his eyes. His prayer is simple, raw, and honest: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” And Jesus tells us that this is the one who goes home justified.

Lent invites us to hear that first verse as if it were spoken directly to us. Where do we trust in our own righteousness? Where have we quietly compared ourselves to others and found comfort in our perceived goodness? 

This season is not about proving ourselves worthy; it is about laying down the illusion that we ever were. It is a time to release our certainty, to repent of our pride, and to open ourselves to the mercy we cannot earn.

In this holy season, we are invited to stand with the tax collector, to bring our whole selves before God without pretense. In doing so, we discover that humility is not humiliation, but liberation. When we stop striving to justify ourselves, we make space for God to do what only God can do—offer grace, restore dignity, and renew our lives.

So as we journey toward the cross, let us loosen our grip on self-importance and open our hands to receive mercy. Let us practice a faith that is honest rather than impressive, trusting that God meets us not in our perfection, but in our need. And let us remember that the path of humility is not a descent into despair, but a doorway into freedom, where we are lifted by grace and held in love beyond measure.

Prayer

Merciful God, humble our hearts and free us from pride. Teach us to trust in your grace alone. Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. Where do you notice pride or comparison shaping your thoughts or actions?

2. What would it look like for you to pray with honesty and humility this week?

3. How is God inviting you to receive grace rather than earn it?