The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
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Jesus told a parable (i.e. a story) to some people who thought they were better than others and who looked down on everyone else:
"Two men went into the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee (i.e. a very religious person) and the other a tax collector, who was considered to be a very sinful person. The Pharisee stood over by himself and prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am not greedy, dishonest, and unfaithful in marriage like other people. And I am really glad that I am not like that tax collector over there. I go without eating (i.e. he fasts) for two days a week, and I give one tenth of all I earn (to the church).'"
"The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up toward heaven. He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, 'God, have pity on me! I am such a sinner.'"
"Then Jesus said, 'When the two men went home, it was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who was put right with God...'" (Luke 18:9-14, The Contemporary English Version).
Can you see that it was the sinful tax collector that went to his home in a right relationship before God and not the religious Pharisee? If you got down on your knees right now and cried out to God, "God, have pity on me! I am a sinner," would God treat you the same way He treated the tax collector? Think about it.
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"Two men went into the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee (i.e. a very religious person) and the other a tax collector, who was considered to be a very sinful person. The Pharisee stood over by himself and prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am not greedy, dishonest, and unfaithful in marriage like other people. And I am really glad that I am not like that tax collector over there. I go without eating (i.e. he fasts) for two days a week, and I give one tenth of all I earn (to the church).'"
"The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up toward heaven. He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, 'God, have pity on me! I am such a sinner.'"
"Then Jesus said, 'When the two men went home, it was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who was put right with God...'" (Luke 18:9-14, The Contemporary English Version).
Can you see that it was the sinful tax collector that went to his home in a right relationship before God and not the religious Pharisee? If you got down on your knees right now and cried out to God, "God, have pity on me! I am a sinner," would God treat you the same way He treated the tax collector? Think about it.
If we can help you, please contact us.