Read Luke 18:9-14
Jesus presents a sharp contrast between two men who go to the temple to pray. Before we can truly connect with this story, we must separate it from some cultural baggage that has surrounded it. Every time I read this, I catch myself thinking: “I’m glad that I’m not like that Pharisee – judgmental, arrogant, hypocritical.”
Honestly, every one of us is the Pharisee. And, though we feel relieved that we don’t cheat on our taxes, don’t steal people’s identities online, and don’t hold up banks – in some way or another, every one of us is the tax collector.
The Pharisee: This man was a member of a respected and outwardly religious group. Perhaps it would be better to think of the Pharisee as the guy in the old western movies who always wore the white hat. We always knew that he was the good guy. However, his prayer was not one of worship, but of self-congratulation. His Posture: “standing by himself” did he prayed to himself? His Prayer: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people” His Justification: He lists his religious achievements. His prayer is essentially a spiritual resume, focused entirely on himself and his comparison to others. Perhaps it would be better to think of the Pharisee as the guy in the old western movies who always wore the white hat. We always knew that he was the good guy.
The Tax Collector: This man was a social outcast, despised as a traitor. He’s the guy in the black hat in those old movies. His Prayer: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner His Posture: He “stood at a distance,” would “not even look up to heaven,” * His Justification: He offers none. He claims no merit, lists no achievements, and makes no comparisons. His prayer is a simple, desperate plea for mercy, acknowledging his complete unworthiness.
The Verdict and Meaning: Jesus delivers a shocking verdict that would have stunned his audience “I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’
The person who looked righteous was not, and the person who knew he was a sinner was made right with God.
This is central to understanding the gospel message and highlights some key themes:
Humility vs. Pride: The Pharisee’s pride and self-righteousness made it impossible for him to receive anything from God, because he didn’t think he needed anything.
The tax collector’s humility and awareness of his sin positioned him perfectly to receive the one thing he asked for: mercy.
Justification by Grace: The parable teaches that being “justified” (made right with God) is not earned by religious works or moral effort. The Pharisee, who trusted in his works, went home unjustified. The tax collector, who had no works to offer and trusted only in God’s mercy, was justified.
The Nature of True Prayer: Jesus contrasts two types of prayer. Self-congratulatory speech aimed at elevating oneself. The other is a genuine, humble, and honest admission of one’s need for God.
Repentance: The tax collector provides a perfect model of repentance. He doesn’t make excuses or try to bargain with God. He simply acknowledges his sin (“a sinner”) and relies completely on God’s character (“have mercy”).
What Jesus wants is us. The worst part of our lives can finally be aired out, and they no longer weigh us down with perfectionism, but rather are thrown off at the foot of the cross. Jesus is seeking the tax collectors who dwell within every person, ready to be made whole again by his amazing grace, ready to receive his radical love that gives us what we do not deserve. In the radical commonwealth of Christ’s love, the last shall be first, the sick will be healed, the blind shall see, the poor shall be rich, and you and I will be called children of God.
The Challenge for us today is to recognize the Pharisee in us. We need to realize that we are the ones in need of God’s grace and God’s forgiveness. For if we do not accept this hard fact, we can never receive God’s grace or God’s forgiveness. But the Good News today is that we are also like the tax collector. God is standing ready to receive us and to forgive us. We only need to ask. May we receive God’s grace and God’s forgiveness – this day and every day.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our need for Your mercy and grace. We repent for our sins, the times we have separated from you. Forgive us for the times we have trusted in our own righteousness or compared ourselves to others. Teach us to come before You with a heart of humility, knowing that only Your mercy and grace can make us right before You. Help us to live in dependence on Your grace, trusting in Your forgiveness rather than our own efforts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.