Justice ParablesSample

The Publican and the Pharisee Reverend Chauncey P. Harrison, M. Div. Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia Humility should be a guiding principle that directs our actions and motives, for it functions as the element in our lives that provides us with a balanced sense of who we are in relation to God and others. Humility is the central theme of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The motifs of this parable coincide with the way Luke shows Jesus with an affinity for the outcasts of society (the poor, lepers, foreigners, sinners, women, tax collectors, and adulterers). Jesus told this story to an audience that was self-righteous, self-confident, and self-absorbed. Jesus frequently critiqued the Pharisees for being judgmental, ostentatious, and hypocritical. Contemporary Pharisees were individuals who valued the insurmountable rules of religion over the infinite possibilities of relationships. Tax collectors were notorious for being traitors because they were Jewish citizens collecting money to fund the oppressive Roman Empire. They were also considered thieves because of the exorbitant commissions they charged in addition to the initial tax levy. Although the tax collector in this parable was a hypothetical figure, Jesus previously had positive interactions with tax collectors, including Matthew, who left his occupation to become a disciple, and Zacchaeus who was converted after climbing a tree to see Jesus. The Pharisee went to the temple, not really to pray, but to brag to God and to everyone within earshot that he was grateful that he was superior to robbers, evildoers, adulterers, and this tax collector. As customary, he stood as he prayed; but in this case, it was emblematic of his arrogant attitude. He gloated that he fasted biweekly and gave ten percent of his earnings to God. The tax collector, on the other hand, did not even lift up his head, a sign of guilt. He beat his breast, a gesture of contrition. He asked God to grant him mercy. Jesus concluded that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, left the temple in right standing with God. Friends, each of us should be inspired by the humility of the tax collector. This virtue is highlighted by Peter who notes, “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6 NKJV). This same characteristic is regarded by David: “Though the LORD is on high, He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar” (Psalm 138:6). And Jesus embodies this same trait, “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death … Therefore, God also highly exalted Him and gave Him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:8–10). Let us model Jesus Christ, our ultimate example. Questions * How can we embody humility so others may know we do not consider ourselves superior to them? * What steps can we take to ensure that we don’t have to learn humility the hard way? * Why do you think the Pharisee put down somebody else to make himself look good in the eyes of a God who was aware of his piety and his proclivities?