Slices
Prepare
Who is the last person in the world you would expect to walk into your church and ask for prayer? How would you respond if they turned up this Sunday?
Bible passage
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
13 ‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
14 ‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’
The little children and Jesus
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’
Explore
Again, Luke leaves no doubt about what Jesus was saying. Many non-Christians in Western societies would see verse 9 as an accurate caricature of many churchgoers! So, we should listen carefully.
The Pharisee approaches a God who owes him something and he wants everyone to hear about that (vs 11,12). The tax collector hides his face as he seeks forgiveness from a God who knows his weakness. The contrast could not be greater. Next it is the disciples who get it all wrong (v 15) when they tell off people who dare to annoy Jesus with their smelly, noisy children. They know that he has bigger fish to fry.
Jesus is blunt in both instances. It is the tax collector who is justified and the children who are the exemplars. He turns everything on its head, and then gives it a good shake. Mark 10:13–16 tells the same story, but adds the final detail that Jesus picked up the children, held them and blessed them. This kingdom is like no other. This king is like no other. The last shall be first, the weak made strong, the poor become rich.
Respond
You have nowhere to hide and nothing to bring. And yet God loves you beyond measure. Thank him afresh that there is a place ready for you in the Father’s house (John 14:2).
Deeper Bible study
Read 1 John 1:6,7. Ask the Spirit to help you see yourself as you are (with signs where you’re growing in holiness, as well as your weaknesses).
Two men go up to the Temple to pray. The context is the ‘time of prayer’:1 a time of both corporate worship and private prayer associated with the atonement sacrifices (offered daily at dawn and 3 pm). The sacrifice was offered outside, followed by the reading of a psalm (accompanied by cymbals and trumpets), before the officiating priest went inside to offer incense and attend to the lamps – as Zechariah was doing when he encountered Gabriel:2 as incense was being burned inside, ‘all the assembled worshippers were praying outside’.3
Standing apart from others to avoid contact with anyone unclean, the Pharisee is assured of his standing with God and is contemptuous of others (vs 9,11). As intercessory prayer was often said aloud, Jesus may want us to imagine the impact of his words on those close by, such as the tax collector. He’s gone further than required in fasting and tithing, he’s outdoing others, at least in his own estimation. He asks nothing of God, because he believes nothing is lacking. He’s like the ninety-nine who do not realise they need to repent.4
In contrast, the tax collector stands at a distance, fearing to come closer. Beating one’s breast is unusual5 and suggests broken-hearted penitence. He dare not look up to heaven. His request is for more than mercy. Remember that this is an atonement sacrifice. His prayer is something like, ‘God, make atonement for me, a sinner’ (Paul uses a related noun to describe the cross as a ‘sacrifice of atonement’).6 He’s asking for grace.
Jesus is clear: the tax collector’s humble request means that he goes home justified, but the Pharisee’s complacent self-praise means that he’s disregarded and will be humbled.
Picking up from the beginning of this note, receive God’s forgiveness and know his delight in forgiving you. Ask for continued growth in holiness.
1 See Acts 3:1 2 Luke 1:8–20 3 Luke 1:10 4 Luke 15:7 5 Cf Luke 23:48 6 Rom 3:25
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 28,29; Psalms 7,8
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for our Mission Enablers like Jack and Jordana that God will bless, guide and equip them as they support growing numbers of Faith Guides. (This week's prayers all relate to this story.)
