Luke 18:9-14

Posted by DJL on Nov 15, 2013 in Daily Bread | 0 comments

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The irony is that the Pharisee is right. He is not like the other people he mentions – in every possible way he is righteous according to the law. And so he is not at all like the thieves, rogues, adulterers, or tax collectors to whom he compares himself. He’s different.

That’s not the problem. The problem is simply that because he has established his righteousness himself, he does not need God. This is why Luke describes Jesus’ audience as those who “trusted in themselves that they were righteous.” The problem isn’t that any of them are doing anything wrong. Undoubtedly they are doing much that is right. But for just that reason, they believe they have no particular need for anything from God, except perhaps to affirm and bless their righteousness.

Which leads to a second problem. The Pharisee not only uses the law to describe what he should do – fast, pray, give a portion of his income away – he also uses it to define who he is…and who others are as well. So while he sees that he is different from the others he mentioned, he cannot image that he is also like them – like them in a shared humanity, like them in mutual need, like them in shared dependence on God’s grace and mercy. And so all he can do is despise them.

And this is where the tax collector gets it right. He knows his need. He knows his failing. He knows his weakness. He knows his absolute dependence on God for all good things, including the gift of mercy. And so he asks for just that: mercy. That’s it. He doesn’t pledge to amend his ways. He doesn’t vow to leave his profession. He doesn’t in any strict sense of the world repent. He just asks for mercy. He knows full well his human failings and absolute need, and so he is aware of his dependence on God’s mercy and grace.

And that, finally, seems the only thing that separates these two – one doesn’t need God and so, while righteous according to his own use of the law, he is not justified – that is, stands in right relationship with God – while the other one knows his need, asks for mercy, and is justified by God.

Two men went up to the Temple. Or maybe it’s two church-goers singing in the choir, or two friends out on a golf course, or two couples enjoying dinner together, or two classmates studying for exams, or two athletes practicing after school, or…. Well, you get the idea. It could be any two of us who pray before the Lord. And all that will matter, Jesus says, is whether you know your need and ask for mercy. That’s it.

Prayer: Dear God, we are restless until we rest in you – awaken us to our great need and your great mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.