The Parables of Jesus
Lesson 18
·
Smaller
and Shorter Parables of Jesus
o
The Pharisee
and the Tax Collector (Publican). (Luke
18: 9 - 14)
§
This parable concludes our studies of the
Parables of Jesus. This parable was
taught sometime before Jesus made his trip to Jerusalem to be crucified.
§
To better understand this parable let us look at
the 3 different elements involved.
·
The temple was the center of worship for the
people of Jerusalem. They would go there
often to pray.
·
The word Pharisee translates to mean “the
separate ones”. A Pharisee was a member
of a Jewish sect that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic Laws in both
its oral and written form. The Pharisee
would separate themselves from others to obey all the rules they created in
addition to the Law of Moses. They were
meticulous and zealous about obeying the do’s and don’ts. Because of this they did not mingle with
believers, but instead looked down upon them.
Jesus often criticized the Pharisees because of their knowledge of the
Old Testament. They failed to see the
fulfillment of the Messiah through the words of the Prophets.
·
A Tax Collector was a hired official by the
Roman Government. A Tax Collector would
provide a bid to the Roman Government for the Province that he lived in. The bid was for the amount of Taxes he would
collect for the Government. The person
with the highest bid would be hired to collect the bid Tax in that Province. The Tax Collector then had 1 year to collect
the Tax Money. Any money that was above
and beyond the Tax Bid was kept by the Tax Collector. They were typically very rich and shrewd
people. They were considered traitors,
extorters, and exploiters by their fellow Jews.
Matthew and Zaccheus are Tax
Collectors that we are familiar with from the New Testament.
§
In this
parable we notice that both men, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, went into
the same temple on the same day. They
were also praying to the same God.
§
The difference between these 2 men can be easily
seen. The difference between these 2 men
was not their outward actions or words, but in their hearts. The Tax Collector realized that he as a
sinner and that he needed God’s mercy, forgiveness, and grace. The Pharisee went to the temple to announce
to anyone who could hear his prayer that he was a good and righteous person,
while the Tax Collector went to recognize his sins.
§
Related Readings
·
Psalms 24:3-4, Leviticus 6:2-5 (Pharisees view
of Tax Collectors), Luke 19:8 (Zaccheaus), Romans 7:18, Revelation 3:17, Jeremiah
17:9, Luke 14:11, Jeremiah 31:19
·
Questions
to Ponder/Life Lessons.
o
Self-righteousness can lead to pride, which can
hinder our learning anything from God.
o
Are we humble in our response to God who has
given us everything in Jesus Christ?
o
What is the intent of our Prayers? The prayer of the Tax Collector should be
our prayer as we need God’s grace and mercy every day.
o
Do we depend upon our performance before God to
receive God’s acceptance?
o
Do not let pride in our achievements distract us
from our relationship with God, being mindful God blesses us with our talents
and possessions. God is the true owner
of all things as we are here as Stewards of God’s creation.
o
Jesus knows that man cannot save himself. He did not come to condone sin, but to save
them and turn them from their wicked ways and past.
o
Definition of Pride from today’s Parable: Coming
to trust in our own abilities rather than trusting in God. Coming to regard other people with contempt
and disrespect rather than seeing them as created equally in the image of God.
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