| Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash
In Luke 18:9-14, we see Jesus give the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Jesus uses this story because there were people who were confident in their own self-righteousness. They thought they were right with God because of their religious background, traditions, and adherence to the law. They thought that they were following God.
Jesus tells the story of two men who go to pray at the temple.
The Pharisee stood to pray by himself and prayed this prayer. “I thank you, God, that I am not like other people – cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.” (verses 11-12). On the surface, this looks good, but when we see it is not about God, not about his need for God. It is all about how good he is!
The second man, the tax collector, prays: “The tax collector dared not even to lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.” His prayer was crying out for God’s mercy, grace, and help in life.
Jesus gives the meaning of the parable in verse 14: “I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Lord, help me to always be like the tax collector, and humble myself before You! Lord, have mercy, grace, and give me Your help today! Lord, help me not to become self-righteous, but to live in Your righteousness every day!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and from significant emotional experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. The daily devotion appears in this publication.
