Bad Comparisons

From this perspective it looked like they had chosen the lesser path

Luke 5:33-39

Reference: They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.” (‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭33‬ NIV)

Explore: I was recently chatting to a group of early twenty year olds. They had all gone straight from school into university and we were talking about their old school friends.

Those who had decided not to go to uni, but get jobs straight away, now had money to spend on cars, holidays and all the latest fashion. Whereas these students were still scrambling money together to pay off text books and student loans.

From this perspective it looked like they had chosen the lesser path, but in five years time they may see a different picture.

Application: There’s no one perfect pathway for someone to take. And that’s why it’s so dangerous for us to compare ourselves to what other people are doing.

What’s right for one, may be disastrous for another. We all just need to do what we can see is the best at the time.

And yet, we often compare ourselves to others and end up being judgemental. Even the leaders of the synagogue compared people. They often did it to make themselves feel better and more righteous than others.

When Jesus started His public ministry, things got a bit ugly. They were so used to feeling better about themselves in their comparisons, but Jesus often put them back in their rightful places.

Jesus didn’t compare, He just loved. Sometimes His love was confronting and sometimes it was renewing. But either way, He chose not to compare.

Prayer: Lord, we know You have made us all unique, but we still go ahead and compare ourselves to others. May we live up to how You have created us to be. Amen.

Who do you compare yourself to?

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