Pointless comparisons

At that time some people were there who told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices to God. Jesus answered them, ‘Because those Galileans were killed in that way, do you think it proves that they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans? No indeed! And I tell you that if you do not turn from your sins, you will all die as they did.’
(verses 1-3)

Read Luke 13:1-9

We human beings have the unfortunate habit of comparing ourselves with other people—and finding ourselves better than others. Perhaps that’s one reason why stories of evils and disasters find such eager ears among us.

We can shake our heads sagely over the sinful shenanigans we would never get up to. Like the people who spoke to Jesus, we can imagine that those who perished in the disaster must have been shocking sinners to deserve such punishment. The reference in the Bible reading to the fall of the tower in Siloam might turn our minds to the fall of the World Trade Centre towers in New York.

Jesus reminds us that this kind of comparison is pointless. Bad, worse or indifferent sinners (like you and me?) are still sinners. There is one thing that each of us needs to do. We need to recognise that we are sinners, turn away from our sinning, and turn to God for God’s gracious forgiveness.

Merciful God, thank you for your gracious forgiveness. Keep me from gloating over the sins of others, and help me to know my own shortcomings. Amen.

by John Vitale, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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