Two Men Pray

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector” (Luke 18:10).

According to the gospel accounts the Pharisees, who were the strictest sect of the Hebrew religion (Acts 26:5), were notorious for being hypocrites (Matt. 23). Evidence of this is seen in their self-righteous posture. “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ’God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that possess’” (Lk. 18:11-12).

On the other hand the tax collector, whose profession was often branded because of dishonesty, “standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' (verse 13).

Jesus gave approval of the tax collector because he humbled Himself before God - something the Pharisee would not do. Which man best describes you?

Aaron Veyon