This man went down to his house justified.

Very few situations in life are more serious than when we are confronted with life and death issues and decisions.

Cancer, death of loved ones or the sobering news that our own days are numbered

Memorial or funeral service, graveside committal

Even as we sometimes speak of how fragile life is, even when it comes to us, for some reason many of us and those whom we love will probably acknowledge that the uncertainty applies to others but not them.

And yet every day we are gently reminded how uncertain life can be:

11 year old boy, crossing the street in a cross walk with a signal, with a crossing guard was still struck by a vehicle - eventually died

2 men who died because of a collapsed wall at a construction site in London - one died immediately, the other before he could be extricated.

COVID uncertainty

WHAT IS ESPECIALLY STRIKING ABOUT COVID IS THAT MOST OF US ARE MORE OR LESS AWARE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING UNSEEN THAT WHEN INFECTED WITH IT WE COULD DIE. THAT IS NOT TOO SHOVE ASIDE THE COVID REALITY THAT SOME INFECTED WITH COVID WHO SEEM TO RECOVER HAVE LASTING SYMPTOMS THAT CAN FLARE UP LATER - ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO BREATHING AND LUNGS.

There is another that most of us choose not to consider seriously or discuss with others, especially those whose viewpoint differs from ours.

With that in mind, let’s allow a short parable that Jesus told to help us to consider these serious life and death situations. In the parable, a very real life experience with true, real spiritual implications, Jesus directed the crowds attention to 2 men that the crowd could visualize very easily in their hearts in minds.

Lk 18:9-14 - The Parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector

Context - persistent widow - Lk 18:1-8 - WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMES WILL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH

Immediate context:

To some who trusted that they were righteous

While their general specific defib