I Don’t Deserve It

"He (Jesus) also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt."

- Dr. Luke, Luke 18:9

"Gratitude begins where entitlement ends"

- Anonymous

Why does an elite businessman or a high-ranking politician feel they are above the law? Why does a celebrity expect to be pandered to and yet will not afford others the most basic respect? Why does a person steal from their employer believing it is justified because the company undervalues them? How can a person walk into CVS and pick up a bottle of wine and $300 worth of cosmetics and walk out without paying for them?

What do you say to someone who believes they were justified in having that affair… or they deserved to cheat on that exam… or that they should not have to start at the bottom… or that they are entitled to have today what it took you a lifetime to achieve?

Anybody else frustrated by this swirling, everywhere-present, "spirit of entitlement" in our world today?

In Luke 18, Jesus tells a story… Not to everyone, but only to those who felt they were entitled - that is, those who believed that they deserved God's approval. I think, last week, when my obnoxious neighbor (you know the one) drove home with a brand new Silverado truck… and junked-up jealousy began to fill up the cracks in my heart. I think I might have been the one who Jesus leaned over to and whispered this story in my ear:

Harry...

Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other, a despised tax collector. The Pharisee prayed, “I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like my neighbor, that tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I give a tenth of my income to You.”

But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sadness, saying, “O God, forgive me, for I am a sinner.”

Jesus said, “I tell you… this sinner… not the Religious Pharisee… returned home approved by God.”

Luke 18:10-14 (paraphrased)

Last week, I was watching a popular Netflix western series and in one of the episodes the ranch ramrod… this tough, rough, hard-driving, hard-hearted, hard-talking foreman… takes in a young troubled teenager who's been passed around from foster home to foster home. The kid cheats, steals, smokes, swears, and does whatever he feels like doing, because… since no one's ever taken care of him… he's entitled to take whatever he wants, whenever he wants… no matter what.

With nowhere to go, this ranch wrangler and his wife take him in. They lay down the law and tell him that even though this is the biggest, wealthiest ranch in the state, that he's gonna start at the bottom… shoveling manure out of the horses' stalls. The kid tries really hard, but the work begins to grind him and he rebels… thinks the work is beneath him… makes a mistake that could get him kicked out. The big cowboy looks at him and says, "I'm going to tell you the secret to life: "You don't deserve it! You wake up every morning, look around, and you say to yourself, 'I don't deserve it!' and you're on your way to building a great life!'"

Who decided there would be breath in your lungs this very second?

Who made the decision that your heart would beat… your eyes would see… your legs would walk… your ears would hear that voice whisper, "I love you," this very moment? Did you bring yourself into this world? Was it you who created your capacities, your interests, your passions, to be motivated to study music… to enjoy mathematics (what?)... to get excited about computer algorithms… to dream about what you dream about? The beauty… and wonder… and world… and friends… and family… and home… and work… and health… and faith… and grace… and strength… Was it all you?

Imputed Righteousness is a theological concept put forward by the Apostle Paul and named by Martin Luther that says when you and I put our faith in the forgiving work Jesus did on that cross for us, God puts the righteousness of Jesus on us!

He "puts" the rightness of Jesus on us like a blanket so we can stand in the very Presence of a Holy God and be accepted… approved… adopted as His sons and daughters! Which means what? I didn't earn it! I didn't deserve it! It's all a gift… and that gratitude oughta move all of us to shovel s__t… with a smile on our hearts!

Both Christianity and a good day always start with you and I waking up, looking around, and whispering, "Lord Jesus, I don't deserve it… but thank You. Now, let me live this day with a grateful heart!" AMEN

Pastor Harry

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