Jesus Christ told in Luke 18:9-14 a parable of two men who had only one thing in common: they both "went up to the temple to pray" (v.10). In every thing else, they are sharply contrasted.

These two men are contrasted in their persons: "one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector" (v.10). Pharisees were the foremost sect of the Jews, who more than any other "trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others" (v.9). In sharp contrast, tax collectors were the lowest class of the Jews, despised by Pharisees because they were employed by hated Romans to collect taxes from Jews, and identified by them with "sinners" (e.g. Luke 5:30; 7:34). This Pharisee boasts of self-righteousness; this tax collector laments that he himself has none. This Pharisee boasts of being better than this tax collector; this tax collector laments that he himself is the worst of all men.

These two men are contrasted in their prayers. 1) Note the places of their prayers. "The Pharisee stood" assumedly in some very conspicuous place and near some holy object, as was their wont (Matthew 6:5). In sharp contrast, the tax collector prayed "standing afar off," desiring to be inconspicuous and feeling himself too unworthy to stand near some holy object.

2) Note the directions of their prayers. They both addressed their prayers to "God." But in sharp contrast to the tax collector, the Pharisee "prayed thus with himself." The self-righteous are a god unto themselves!

3) Note the attitudes of their prayers. The Pharisee exalted himself: "I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week [more than the law required], I give tithes of all that I possess [even of the leaves in his herb garden? as in Matthew 23:23]." He possessed a "better than thou" attitude toward others. (However, it is interesting to note that when he compared himself to others, he referred to the worst sorts.)

In sharp contrast, this tax collector abased himself. He was so ashamed of himself that he "would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast" in an act of self-abasement. He acknowledged himself as only one thing: "the sinner!"

4) Note the supplications of their prayers. This Pharisee had none! With regard to righteousness, he considered himself so self-sufficient that he asked nothing from God, and was not all disappointed if he received nothing from God!

In sharp contrast, the tax collector pleaded, "God be merciful to me the sinner!" And it is a special kind of mercy he desires. He is actually praying "God be propitious to me!" (as in the Greek text). He begged that God's justice and wrath against his sins would be satisfied through the sacrifice which was made at the mercy seat, the temple's place of propitiation (see Leviticus 16). And he begged that God's justice and wrath against him, having been satisfied through the propitiating sacrifice, might give way to His mercy toward himself.

Do you rightly discern the contrasts between these two men? The Pharisee boasted of his self-righteous deeds; but the tax collector acknowledged his total unrighteousness. The Pharisee boasted of being "better than thou"; but the tax collector acknowledged himself "the sinner," worst of all. The Pharisee desired nothing from God except a reward for his deeds; but the tax collector prayed he never be rewarded for his deeds, and pleaded for mercy instead.

These two men are contrasted in their ends. Jesus Christ said of the tax collector, "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

1) Here is bad news for the self-righteous. They exalt themselves, but God will therefore abase them. At the final judgment they will boast of their many self-righteousness deeds and virtues, only to hear God reply, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:21-23).

This Pharisee represents every man and woman yet in the natural state, that in which we all were born. Such persons possess a "better than thou" attitude toward those whom they consider "sinners." Their righteousness consists of the good works they have performed: "I responded to an altar call" / "I made a decision for Christ" / "I was baptized" / "I joined the church" / "I observe the Sabbath" / "I exercise spiritual gifts" / ad infinitum. They stroke their egos by boasting of their deeds publicly, and desire the praise of others.

Are you a self-exalting Pharisee under God's condemnation?

2) But here is good news for all who acknowledge themselves as unrighteous, and who consequently plead for God's propitiating mercy. They humble themselves, and therefore God will exalt them.

This tax collector represents all persons who have been awakened to realize their sinful and unrighteous condition. Such persons acknowledge themselves as totally incapable of meeting the standard of absolute holiness God requires (1 Peter 1:16). They consequently plead "God be merciful to me the sinner!" The good news for them is that Jesus Christ came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), not the self-righteous (Luke 5:32). And He has done so by providing Himself as the propitiation for their sins (1 John 2:2). All who trust in God alone for propitiation are declared by Him "Justified!". They receive through faith alone the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-26).

Are you like this tax collector, humbling yourself before God and being justified by Him through faith alone in Christ alone?