Taking the Low Ground, Part 2

Pursuit of the high ground may be an advisable strategy in conventional warfare. But in every other context, that tactic can be disastrous. Let’s explore what could change if you took the low ground.

Photo by Chris Liverani

For part 2 of Taking the Low Ground, we wade into the parable Jesus told in Luke 18:9–14 about a Pharisee and tax collector in the Temple. If you missed yesterday’s intro, check it out here.

If you are ready, let’s dive in!

The Audience

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

My senior year in high school, our football team was ranked #1 in the state during the pre-season polls and was predicted to go undefeated. Being overconfident in ourselves and underestimating our opponents, not only did we lose our opening game, we didn’t even make the playoffs.

The religious leaders in Jesus’ day had a similar sense of overconfidence. Not in their athletic…