Saturday's Bible Story for the Week
Luke 18:9-14
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.”
If you have not already, read this story from Luke 18:9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (or Publican). It is an indictment of public religiosity similar to Jesus’ indictment of hypocritical prayer. It's okay to be religious in public; it's not okay to be religious for publicity’s sake.
Take note at the role pride plays in this parable. The Pharisee is clearly conscious (and prideful) of his supposedly superior spiritual position. The tax collector shows the opposite of spiritual pride here. Jesus points out that the spiritual pride gets in the way of forgiveness. So often in our world, pride and shame get in the way of forgiveness as we find ourselves unwilling to confess sins to a brother or sister in Christ.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, as You teach me how to pray, remind me that it's always good to have a desire to pray, whether in private or public. But when choosing to pray in a public venue, there are extra pitfalls to navigate while doing so – such as the perception of others. Let me always stay focused on You – in private and public. Amen.