"The Empty Throne"

The John Knox Presbyterian Church Podcast · Jan 4, 2026 · 16m

Rev. Jimmy McPherson - Luke 18:9–14; Philippians 2:5–11 “The Empty Throne” names pride as the quiet, corrosive force that elevates the self, erodes community, and subtly pushes God aside. Through Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector and Paul’s hymn to Christ’s self-emptying love in Philippians 2, we see a contrast between self-justification with humility rooted in grace. Pride is not merely confidence but a posture of grasping and comparison, while humility is truth-telling, trust, and release. Listeners are invited to leave the throne empty — making room for God’s mercy and…