Two Men Pray
Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else. “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer, ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people – cheaters sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at the distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
This is a parable of two men who prayed, but you wouldn’t find two people who were more different. One guy is a Pharisee. He’s a member of that special Jewish group noted for strict observance of the nation’s laws, rites, and ceremonies and they were especially vocal of their own oral traditions concerning the law. The Pharisees thought actions meant God loved them more than the general population. This man must have thought he was indeed special because he even brags out loud that he is so good because he fasted and tithed and that separates him from the other “sinners.”
The other guy in the story is a tax collector. Jesus means to give the audience what they consider the other end of the spectrum from the Pharisees when it comes to sinning. The tax collector worked for Rome – collecting taxes on his own people – many who were poor. And to make matters worse, they were known to cheat and steal some of the collections for themselves.
The tax collector feels terrible about all his sins. So ashamed and convicted in his heart that he couldn’t lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he bowed his head and begged God for His mercy on him.
As I enter the Lent season this year, I must look upon the two examples Jesus uses and ask myself, which guy might I be? That might sound a little strange, but this story teaches me something. I’m really both guys. Sometimes I’m a proud Pharisee and sometimes I’m a guilty tax collector.
That leaves us with the most important question – which guy in the story had the best relationship with God? Which one does God forgive? Jesus tells us it’s the tax collector. Why him? Because he repented. He was sorry for his transgressions, and he asked God for forgiveness, and vowed to work on making changes in his life.
Today starts the first day of the Lent journey toward Easter. It’s a time for us to be like the tax collector. Confess our sins, repent, or turn to God for forgiveness. And let’s follow Jesus to the cross where all our sins will be forgiven – just like the tax collector.
Lord, have mercy on me. I am sorry for sinning against You, and I turn toward You for forgiveness. As I journey through Lent to Easter, may I rejoice that You have paid for my sins at the cross. In Jesus’ Holy Name I pray, AMEN.