Luke 18:9-14
Luke explains that Jesus is telling this
parable to “some who were confident of their own righteousness.” In my mind
there are three groups of people who fit this category; the Jews; the Pharisees;
and many people in our churches today!
The difference is that the Jews and the Pharisees thought that their
religious deeds made them righteous before God…many today are less concerned
about God’s approval, or about pleasing God… and more concerned about pleasing
self.
Let’s first look at the Pharisee: The term “Pharisee” has become a derogatory
term. Today it is synonymous with “religious hypocrite.” Here is a man –
basically – praying about himself to himself! This prayer is not God centered,
it is “I” centered. ( It’s all about me!” ) His words lack any expression of
praise or thanksgiving or worship. This man is impressed, not by what he is
like compared with God…but what he is like compared with others. Galations 6:3
says – “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives
himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in
himself, without comparing himself to somebody else…”Pharisees in Jesus' day were laymen who advocated and practiced rigorous observance of the law. They were observant. They even sought to go beyond normal expectations which is reflected in the Pharisee's prayer. To fast twice a week was not normal; once a week was as much as was expected in the first century. Furthermore, a tithe on everything that the Pharisee made was also more than was expected. In the first century the norm for tithing was that some things would be excluded from the tithe. But this Pharisee tithed everything that he made. He was really good.
The Tax Collector - Tax collectors were hated in first-century Judea. They were regarded as corrupt and sinful men, because they were. They were hired by the Romans to collect taxes and the normal practice was that tax collectors would add to the required tax their own cut. By doing this they became very wealthy. Because they profited from this status, and because the tax system exploited the people, they were hated and were regarded as criminal and corrupt. However, his position and his posture reveal a man who desires to come into God’s presence but feels profoundly unworthy. He stands at a distance; his eyes are downcast; his body language shows “guilt”; he beats his breast – a well known gesture of grief and sorrow; everything about him speaks of humility, brokenness, and repentance. Here is a man who has no illusions about who he is or what he is like. (Maybe it’s an attitude that more people should have.) He is also aware that only the grace of God can meet his needs.
This parable was addressed to folks who were religious and confident of their goodness in the eyes of God. The expectation in both contexts was that it would be the Pharisee—who would be justified by God. The expectation is that the listeners will initially identify with the Pharisee and be alienated from the tax collector.
The overall impact of this parable is then a kind of shock. That the tax collector would go to his home justified is a complete reversal of expectations. So the question is, "Why?" Why would he be seen as righteous in the eyes of God rather than the one who is clearly righteous by all that he does? Jesus' comment is an explanation of this: "Those who humble themselves will be found righteous and will be exalted - those who exalt themselves will be found as sinners."
Jesus does not let this parable hang in the air…he wants there to be no doubt about the message here: “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God”… He didn’t go home “feeling justified”… he was justified... he was declared righteous! This means that God had not only forgiven the Tax Collector, but placed him in a right relationship with himself. Justification is impossible for those who are “confident in their own righteousness.” God desires humility and a contrite heart… And, until we come with a “Theo-centric” desire to please God… we come in vain.
What is dangerous about pride is noted right at the start. First, we come to trust in our own abilities rather than trusting God. Second, we come to regard other people with contempt and disrespect rather than seeing them as created equal in the image of God. This is a danger inherent in all of us. Here we are reminded, however, that God honors those who realize that their deeds – no matter how good or plentiful, does not commend them before God or make them superior; but rather, we are all objects of his grace and mercy.
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