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.”

Pay close attention to verse 9. There is no connection between attitude and religion in this first line. Being self-righteous and contemptuous does not in and of itself demand that religion be involved. It is only in this parable that the connection is made between them for the purpose of seeing how justification works.

One does not have to be a Pharisee to act like a Pharisee. Anyone satisfied with their lives will not seek help.

Likewise no one has to be a tax collector to be dissatisfied with the life they are living. Note closely that this man did nothing more than plead for mercy. This is acknowledgement of guilt, a life lived out of control and feeling vulnerable. He does not have to name his sins to repent of them.

My first prayer to God was only in my mind “I don’t want to be like this.” That is all it took because God knew what was in my heart and in my mind.

If others cannot tell us what is troubling them, then just ask them to be honest with themselves and in private seek God’s mercy and see for themselves how God responds to prayer.

It couldn’t hurt and who knows, maybe God will honor honesty.

Exodus 7:9 English Standard Version (ESV) “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’”

There will be times when preaching the gospel that we are confronted by someone who says “Prove it.”

My answer is “No.”

We are called to preach the gospel, not to prove it. The seed will fall everywhere and not all the ground is ready to receive it. It is not our job to be soil inspectors, taking samples and withholding the gospel if we believe that soil is infertile. 

If they should ask why I believe, now that is a different matter.

My answer is “God revealed Himself to me.”

It is not my job to convince them that I am sane. It is my job to love them no matter what. If I consider sharing the gospel to be an act of love then how I present it is important.

We want people that will engage us in further exploration of who God is and how He works.

Two things will always be available to us in witnessing Christ to others. The first is personal. What has God done for you personally that you could not do for yourself. If you do not have a clear answer to that part of your walk with Jesus, do not make something up just to have an answer.

The second is a proper understanding of the promises of God. People that expect miracles do not understand how God’s promises work. If we cannot explain them properly, don’t try.

“Why would God reveal Himself to you and not to me?”

That is a fair question and it comes down to this: “Who says He hasn’t?”

Most people expect easy answers, clear understanding and some proof before they will commit themselves to anything. The answer to that question has to be discovered within themselves and not everyone is ready to open up their lives to us.

“What is going on in your life?”

Love is interested in others.