The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is another powerful story exclusive to Luke (18:9-14). Jesus teaches His disciples and us to pray humbly. It is about the right disposition and inner attitude needed for prayer. The right attitude is humility. It is a call to be open, receptive, to have a childlike heart and to rely on God alone because that is the only way to be strong. The Pharisee tries to please God by following His commandments. He even exceeds the requirements of the Law. He fasts twice a week. The Jews are required to fast on the Day of Atonement. Fasting involves going without food and water from sunrise to sunset. It requires serious spiritual discipline. Because of this he becomes self righteous. The problem is his prideful attitude and arrogance. He stands tall and confident in his goodness. Outwardly, he is devout, disciplined and obedient. But beneath that polish image lies fear: fear of weakness, of need and of being ordinary. To protect himself, he builds a wall of performance. Yet that wall becomes his prison. His prayer is self serving, despising others and looking down on others. He comes to the temple not to pray but to judge making a praise release. He assumes that God is dependent on him. He forgets that all good things come from God and without Him, he is nothing. Jesus is the only faithful standard. The tax collector is clearly a sinner, social outcast and traitor. He collects taxes for the hated Romans coordinating with them. Yet his prayer is direct and simple. He admits his sin in humility and truth, seeking forgiveness from God. Humility is freedom. It is to stop pretending and let God love us as we are. Prayer begins in honesty because God does not ask for perfection. He asks for truth. And he went home justified. Both men came to pray but only one left changed, transformed and reconciled with God. To be justified is to be at peace with God, to be totally in harmony with Him. Only the sacrifice of the Incarnate Son has the power to justify us. Because of that sacrifice, the Holy Spirit bestows forgiveness on those who believe. Justification is a gift of God and not our accomplishment. Salvation is never earned, bought and merited. It is freely given to us by God. It is totally dependent on His grace. Pride keeps us appear perfect but empty. Humility makes us transparent to His grace. Holiness is not about never falling. It is about never pretending. It is to rely on God alone because He alone is our peace and our joy.
RELIANCE ON GOD
