Knowing The Word in Luke 18:9-14, The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Jesus now teaches his disciples how to pray after explaining why they need to pray in the previous parable. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector illustrates the heart of the human problem and the antithesis of who Jesus has called “the elect.” People would expect the Pharisee to be praying in the Temple but not the tax collector. The Law only required fasting on the Day of Atonement, so in the Pharisee we find a work of supererogation, meaning doing more than duty requires. The Law required that certain crops be tithed, but the Pharisees had a practice of tithing their herbs as well. In his prayer, the Pharisee acknowledges the presence of God but focuses on himself and how wonderful he is. On the other hand, the tax collector, under the conviction of great sin, calls himself “the sinner” rather than “a sinner,” putting himself in a class by himself as well. His plea was accepted by God but not so the Pharisee. We learn that the only thing we can boast about before God is our own sin. Penitent sinners will find mercy. That is Jesus’ promise to us.

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Prayer: Give us grace, almighty Father, to address thee with all our hearts as well as with our lips. Thou art everywhere present: from thee no secrets can be hidden. Teach us to fix our thoughts on thee, reverently and with love, so that our prayers are not in vain, but are acceptable to thee, now and always; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jane Austen, 1775-1817