The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)

Since so many people seemed to relate to me and poor Martha, I thought I would throw in another area that's no fun to face. The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is from Luke 18:9-14. Here are some excerpts from another Jesus Walks Bibel Study Series*

Self-Righteousness (18:9-10)

There's nothing wrong with rules. Each family has to have family rules. Each church needs to have family rules, too. It's a requirement of any human organization. We just need to keep our rules in perspective, and realize that they are not necessarily God's rules, but derivatives of God's rules.

A problem arises, however, when we are "confident in our own righteousness" or "trust in" our own righteousness to save us and justify us before God. When we move from righteous living -- which is right -- to trusting in that righteous living to give us a standing before God, then we commit a fatal error. In that case it becomes self-righteousness

Looking Down on Others (18:9-10)

When we begin to take pride in our own righteous behavior, it's very easy to look down on those who don't behave this way as morally inferior to us.

Stop to consider who we faithful, righteous Christians tend to look down on…


Side note...Here is a recent post from Beth Moore's blog, written by her daugter, Melissa, about her visit to a youth church service. The post reminded me of this parable. Here is an excerpt:

It was amazing what happened as I made my way to my seat. I began to shut down. Even though it was only seven or eight years ago that I would have easily found myself in their exact positions, I quickly became one of the dreaded frozen chosen. What a bizarre and devastating feeling. All of the sudden I was a spectator in this youth service rather than being a participant. I even began to critique all that I was surrounded by, surveying our younger generation’s heartbeat for Christ to discern whether it was authentic or not. I suppose the older we get, the more power we think we have to take our place in the judgment seat…I had to remind myself that I will never be old enough for that position, for that throne is reserved for none other than the Ancient of Days. In my shame, I thought to myself, “So this is how this happens…this is how one becomes one of the frozen and cynical chosen…and I’m only 25, I’m so doomed.”


Now, back to the bible study...

Priding Oneself (18:12)

The pharisee's entire prayer is about himself. He thanks God -- not for blessings -- but that he isn't a sinner like others. He first lists those who were known to be evil: robbers, evildoers, unrighteous people in general, and adulterers. Then he compares himself to the nearby tax collector.

He also reminds God of how pious he is -- fasting and tithing. Pharisees developed the practice of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays to intercede for the nation as a whole. Pharisees far exceeded the requirements of the law in this regard. They scrupulously tithed or gave one tenth on everything they acquired, even down to the herbs in their garden.

No Excuses (18:13)

Contrast the pharisee with the tax collector. For the tax collector to ask for forgiveness and restoration of his relationship with God is a bold and faith-filled act for a man so despised by his society. He is obviously humble and repentant of his sins, but his faith has made him bold to ask for something that he has no right to expect -- forgiveness and restoration before God.

Exalting or Humbling Oneself (18:14b)

Jesus highlights a paradox of the spiritual life -- exalting oneself leads to humbling, while humbling leads to exaltation. Jesus' brother James carries on this theme when he says: "... But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' " (James 4:6) When we are proud, we make ourselves into God's opponent, his enemy.

The lessons for would-be disciples are obvious.

• We are saved by God's atonement and mercy, not by our righteous deeds.
• God abhors the haughty, but welcomes the humble. I can see myself here. I must guard against the sin of pride that is so repugnant to God. Instead, I must humble myself and be thankful for the grace of God.
• We cannot, we must not look down on others. While they may be sinners, they are certainly not beyond God's forgiveness. In the final analysis the only thing that saves either of us will be God's forgiveness, and not our pure lifestyle.

The Pharisee prays as one who needed no forgiveness, and got none. The tax collector prays as one needing forgiveness, and he received it.

Here's a Mac/PC parody related to this parable... Rules Guy vs. Relationship Guy




* Excerpts from: Jesus Walks Bible Study Series, #78-The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/18_9-14.htm.