The well-known Bible story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (also known as the Publican) is a parable from Jesus Christ about the importance of humility and repentance.
Here we see the example of the Pharisee who obeys the outward displays of piety but fails to have true humility in his heart. Let us learn from the Tax Collector to not exalt ourselves but to be humble and seek God's mercy sincerely.
(Luke 18:9-14)
(Luke 18:10) The Pharisee is highly respected and a careful observer of the details of the Law, whereas the tas collector is despised as a sinner who collaborates with the occupying Roman forces, betraying and cheating his own people.
(Luke 18:11-12) The practices of this Pharisee are worthy examples to follow. His good deeds (fasting and tithing) are primary weapons against the passions of lust and greed (adultery and extortion). However, without a humble and repentant heart, these outward practices are worthless and lead only to pride and judgment of others. Note that he prays with himself, for God is absent where there is boasting.
(Luke 18:13) The tax collector shows by his posture an awareness of the state of his soul, standing far from the altar of sacrifice with eyes cast downward. His prayer, "God, be merciful to me a sinner", is the foundation of the Jesus Prayer, as in the refrain "Lord have mercy" that permeates Christian worship and personal prayer.
(Luke 18:14) Justified means forgiven and set right with God, for inward humility is blessed while pride in outward deeds is condemned.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. ~ Proverbs 11:2
One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. ~ Proverbs 29:23
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. ~ Proverbs 16:18
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. ~ Proverbs 8:13
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ” ~ James 4:6-8
The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. ~ Isaiah 2:11
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9To 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.
11The 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.
12I 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.”
15People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.
16But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
18A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.
20You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
21“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
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Emmanuel
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