Today’s reading takes us over some very familiar parables, one of which is of The Pharisee and Tax Collector. Jesus knew the hearts of the people He spoke to; some trusted in their righteousness.
On the surface, the Pharisee is a moral and upstanding person. 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. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ (Luke 18:11–12, ESV) Who wouldn’t want the Pharisee for a neighbor? He is a just person, stays away from adultery, isn’t a cheater, goes to church every Sunday, and gives from his income.
Then there is the tax collector—a dishonest, unjust, cheating sinner with no time for giving because he is too busy taking. He knows he is an adulterer. Who would want this person for a neighbor? But he has come to a point in life before God where he confesses his sin in great sorrow. He pleads for God’s mercy. 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!’ (Luke 18:13, ESV)
In this parable, we see that the moralist, an upstanding member of society, is further from the kingdom of God than the tax collector because he trusts in his own righteousness and works to justify himself before God. The tax collector confesses his sins and appeals to God’s mercy. Who can God forgive? The one who asks! What a lesson to stop comparing our righteousness to the actions of others because others are not the standard. The righteousness of Jesus is the standard by which we all, including moralists, fall short. May we all have the humility of the tax collector.
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 17:11-18:14.