November 29, The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Luke 18:10-14

November 29, The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Luke 18:10-14

The context continues to be the self-righteous ones. The Jewish religious elite are not mentioned but would be included in this group. The story is shocking and not what committed church-folk would expect. Although we would not pray so egotistically as the Pharisee, I have attended prayer meetings and Holy Spirit meetings where it appears one tries to out do another.

The tax collector knew he was a sinner and was in need of God’s grace. He prayed what we might call, “the sinner’s prayer.” In leading someone to Christ, we have come up with a prayer made up of many parts from several scriptures. We include John 1:12, “as many as received him,” and Rev. 3:20, “Come into my heart,” and Luke 18:13, “God have mercy on me a sinner.”

God hears sincere prayers. God answers the prayers of those who depend upon Him. Read James 4:6, “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” And James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” God loves to hear the prayers of the humble. Notice this passage is followed by Jesus blessings the children.

¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

   ¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

   ¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”—Luke 18:10-14