Humble Tax Collector, Not Proud Pharisee, Justified
Daily Scripture
Luke 18:9-14
9 Jesus told this parable to certain people who had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone else with disgust: 10 “Two people went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else—crooks, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I receive.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to look toward heaven. Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God, show mercy to me, a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this person went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”
Daily Reflection & Prayer
In this pointed parable, Jesus challenged religious assumptions about who God accepts. He contrasted a Pharisee, proudly listing his spiritual achievements, with a tax collector who could only plead for mercy. Scholar William Barclay wrote, “The Pharisee did not really go to pray; he went to inform God how good he was…. No [one] who is proud can pray. The gate of heaven is so low that none can enter it save upon [their] knees.” * Jesus said God values a humble heart over religious performance.
- The Pharisee in Jesus’ story focused entirely on comparing himself favorably to others, especially the tax collector. Even his prayer was more about listing his achievements than connecting with God. “Jesus reveals what the divine judge would say about this: the tax-collector, not the Pharisee, returned home vindicated.” ** When you approach God, do you find yourself measuring your spiritual life against others or honestly opening your heart to God’s transforming grace?
- Methodist pastor James Moore wrote a book with the ironic title of Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned: But I Have Several Excellent Excuses. *** The tax collector, despite his questionable profession and lifestyle, recognized his need for forgiveness rather than trying to justify himself. How can you avoid rationalization, and approach God with complete honesty about areas where you need forgiveness and transformation?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the transforming gift of forgiveness. Give me the courage and trust to claim that gift honestly when I need it, rather than trying to justify my actions or attitudes. Amen.
GPS Insights
Leah Swank-Miller
Leah Swank-Miller serves as Pastor of Care and Director of Student Ministries at Resurrection Overland Park. A Kansas native, she has been a professional actress for nearly two decades, and she loves to see the vastness of God’s creation through theatre and the arts. Leah graduated with an M. Div. from Saint Paul School of Theology. Leah, Brian, and their two children love to play tennis, golf, soccer, and board games.
They started it! At least I’m not that bad. I mean, I’ll never be like them. And all the other excuses I’ve thrown at God when rationalizing why I’m sorta asking for forgiveness but not really. Can you relate? In that moment of silence, you feel the stirring of your heart, this weight you need to let go of and give to God. Flashes of times we’ve missed the mark, spoke ill of others, been spiteful with words or actions, judged and ignored a stranger, held grudges against a loved one, and so on. But instead of recognizing how we’ve fallen short, we cling to all the reasons why “it wasn’t really our fault because, well, they deserved it after all”. We play judge and jury while patting ourselves on the back for “being better than most”.
I’m a fan of mystery novels. Agatha Christie is a favorite, and I love a good Sherlock Holmes case. The Enola Holmes films have proven to be quite delightful. And although my husband may never admit it, I’m usually the first to figure out the plot on most cinematic thrillers. And yet, I can’t seem to solve the mystery of my own stubborn pride. You’d think I’d be able to see it coming by now. Rearing its ugly head the minute I feel the need to ask for forgiveness. Agatha Christie famously said, “Very few of us are what we seem,” and that sure seems to be the case for me when I claim to know the difference between a humble heart and my own performative religiosity.
But dear Agatha also wrote her characters to have courage, and I sure need courage to be honest with myself and God. I think the best way to solve this mystery of my self-acclaimed righteousness is sincerity in the place of my arrogance. Do I really go to pray, or do I inform God how good I am? How am I rationalizing my actions that have caused pain or discourse and why? Where am I letting God’s gift of forgiveness transform me from the inside out?
“The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to seekers after it.” This, perhaps, is one of my favorite Agatha Christie quotes. Seeking the truth of ourselves and living out of sincerity, I believe, is where humility breaks through and God’s gift of forgiveness transforms us. Oh, it’s not like Jesus didn’t leave breadcrumbs. He made it pretty clear how God shows mercy to a sinner like me. “All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.” Now, to get that from my head to my heart daily. Perhaps that is the gift of daily prayer, which gives me many chances to practice talking with God and not at Him.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* William Barclay, The Gospel of Luke (Revised Edition). Westminster John Knox Press, 1975, p. 224.
** N. T. Wright, Luke for Everyone (New Testament for Everyone Book 4) (p. 214). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.
*** James Moore, Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned: But I Have Several Excellent Excuses. Dimensions for Living; Special Edition (March 1, 2012).
