Two Men, Two Prayers
TRANSLATION
(9) Jesus also told this parable to some who considered themselves righteous and looked down on everyone else. (10) “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was 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, swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. (12) I fast twice each week. I give a tenth of all that I get.’ (13) But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even lift his eyes to heaven but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ (14) I tell you, this man went home justified rather than the other, for all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
OBSERVATIONS
Luke introduced this parable with a brief description to let us know the audience Jesus had in mind as he told his story (vs. 9). Several words were repeated in the body of the parable. Each man was identified by the repeated designations, “Pharisee” and “tax collector” (both words found in vss. 10 & 11). We find in the original language three words based on the same Greek root for “righteous,” the plural adjective “righteous” (vs. 9), the plural adjective “unjust” (vs. 11), and the perfect passive participle “justified” (vs. 14). The final repetitions occurred in Jesus’ conclusion with the double use of “exalt/exalted” and “humbled/humble” (vs. 14). This final statement, really a proverb, provided a succinct summary of the parable’s message.
The differences between the two men were made obvious in several ways. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed at length (thirty words in Greek), exhibiting self-sufficiency and pride. The tax collector’s refusal to lift his eyes to heaven, his beating his breast in remorse, and his brief prayer of only six words all portrayed his sense of inadequacy and humility. Jesus made clear God’s assessment of each petitioner (vs. 14).
OUTLINE
I. In his introduction, Jesus clearly indicated those to whom the parable was directed. (9)
II. In the body of the parable, Jesus strongly contrasted two petitioners at the temple. (10-13)
III. In his conclusion, Jesus applied the parable so that we might learn its lesson. (14)
IDEA STATEMENT
Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted.
APPLICATION
Consider the first words of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:3). Those who desire to probe what Jesus meant by the phrase, “poor in spirit,” find it well illustrated in Luke’s description of the tax collector who would not even lift his eyes to heaven but rather beat his breast in acknowledgement of his unworthiness to approach God in prayer. The opposite of “poor in spirit” is quite apparent in the Pharisee’s haughty bearing as he boasted of his self-worth.
What does it take for us to become “poor in spirit?” We have no problem understanding pride and arrogance, attitudes which many of us struggle to overcome. However, it is humility that we find far more elusive. The moment we think we have become humble we sadly realize that we are quite proud to have achieved a state of humility. David’s great psalm of confession after he had sinned so blatantly with Bathsheba provides us with some help. He reasoned within himself concerning God in this way: “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it. You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps. 51:16 & 17). When our hearts are genuinely broken because of our sins, shortcomings, record of rebellion, and constant failure to measure up to the perfect standards of a holy God, we, like the tax collector, will bow before God with a sense of our inadequacy. When we reach this point, we are finally ready to receive God’s blessing. In humbling ourselves before God, we delight his heart. Two men went to the temple to pray but only one came away justified. We should constantly strive to approach God with the same attitude the tax collector manifested.