Two Men, Two Prayers

 

He [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted din themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 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. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 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!’ 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.” (Luke 18:9-14 ESV).

 

Our reading today was easily understood by His disciples. They were very familiar with Pharisees and tax collectors. Here Jesus teaches that we do not get right with God on our own merits. There’s no room for confidence based on what we have done, no looking down on anyone. It’s always by grace—based on God’s mercy. The true nature of our prayers ought to be that of humility.

 

We see two men and two very different prayers. The Pharisee, at prayer, proclaimed his good deeds and then pointed his finger, saying, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people … or even like this tax collector.” He was full of himself! By his way of thinking, he didn’t even need God’s mercy.

 

Then Jesus described the vastly different prayer of a person who saw that he needed mercy. Tax collectors were seen as traitors, leeches on society, people to be avoided. And this was not someone claiming any self-earned righteousness! Without pretensions and with an aching heart, the man pleaded for God’s mercy.

 

Pride sees no room for mercy, no need for forgiveness. Grace has no place when we’re full of ourselves. Jesus declared the tax collector justified. Jesus’ parables make us look at ourselves. With whom do we identify—the Pharisee or the tax collector? The greatest tragedy is that the prayer of the prideful, religious man was not heard, nor did it make any difference in that man’s spiritual condition. Practice humility always, especially in your prayer life.