Luke 18:9-14 English Standard Version

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 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. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 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!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The focal point of this parable is verse 9.

We all want to feel better about ourselves. What doesn’t work is looking down on others. We see it almost daily, everywhere we go. Some of it is rather harmless, like seeing someone else’s driving. “I would never drive like that.” Then I misjudged the clearance between my car and another as I park. It was not intentional but I rubbed fenders.

That is Vine’s definition of sinner, missing the mark. What is missing in that definition is what you are aiming to hit or in my example, what you intend to miss.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia lists the first definition as “devoted to sin”.

Both definitions deal with the noun and fail to define sin itself.

Proverbs 18:1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Sin is defined by God. Some deny God’s right to judge us.

1 Peter 1:16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

This is not a commandment, it is a reminder.

Leviticus 11:45 For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

That is not a commandment, it is a declaration. God said so, so it is so.

Isaiah 43:10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.

Luke 12:45-47 English Standard Version

45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.

If we tell ourselves this is just a parable, then we are not listening and our hearts are not being conditioned to obey.

When we live this life with Jesus every lesson is a preparation for tomorrow. The day our Lord returns may not come in our lifetime, but with any luck, we will see tomorrow.

Are we ready for tomorrow?

Just because you don’t beat up your servants, are not a glutton or a drunk, does not mean you are obedient. This life in Christ is not about what we don’t do that is wrong, but about doing the will of the Father.

We cannot do the will of the Father if we do not seek Him and ask, “What is your will for me?”

Many of us believe that avoiding sin is all we have to do. Let us take yet another lesson from Jesus.

Matthew 23:23

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

Having the job and the title and doing only what you are willing to do isn’t doing the will of the Father.

Avoid sin, yes, but that alone is not enough.

In the earthly vernacular “I nailed it today!” OK, but are you prepared for tomorrow?

Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

James 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.