Song # 1034.1 from Our Gospel In Song Collection by Col Johnston. The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, as told by Jesus, is given to us in Luke chapter 18, verses 9-14, where a Pharisee believes he is better than a lowly tax collector. (A parable is a story with a moral theme).
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable (Luke 18:9). “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector” (Luke 18:10). “The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector’” (Luke 18:11). “’I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get’” (Luke 18:12). But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his chest and said “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). Jesus said “I tell you that this man (the tax collector), rather than the other (the Pharisee), went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).
Thought for today: give others peace of mind, not a piece of your mind.
Thought for the future: a wise man chooses his words before his tongue speaks. Where will you spend your eternity?