Thursday 6 September, 2012

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 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.”

Jesus’ parable is about self-righteousness (Pharisee) and a humble-sinner (Tax collector).

Both Pharisee and Tax collector went to the temple to pray:

1. Pharisee:

Attitude: proud (v11: stood up and prayed about himself)

Contains: Self

1. I thank you..

2. I am not like other men and this tax collector …

3. I fast twice a week.

4. I give a tenth of all I get.

2. Tax Collector:

Attitude: humbled (v13: stood at a dista

nce and would not even look up to heaven, but beat this breast.)

Contains: Repentance (God, have mercy on me, a sinner)

Jesus applauded the tax collector. He did not mean “fast or tenth“ were not important for His disciples, but because “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.” (Psalm 51:17). Without the humble heart/spirit, we cannot please God.

Dear Lord, help me always to be humble before you, no matter what circumstance I am in.

Written by Allen Leu