"Different Approaches - Different Outcomes" (Luke 18:9-14)

Prelude

The 5 things that upset Jesus the most (according to article by Pastor Kurt Bubna):

1. Hardness of heart
2. Selfish ambition
3. Spiritual arrogance
4. Self-centredness
5. Hypocrisy and fake religiosity

Introduction

Jesus was affronted by people who blocked the path of others. Sometimes, it is the behaviour of God’s people that actually turn others away. The Pharisees of Jesus’ time had a habit of making it harder for people to connect with God, often coming up with ridiculously trivial rules. Of course, with the Pharisees, this was more about maintaining their own status and control. Human beings, especially in groups and institutions, often want to draw boundaries of protection around themselves, often … so they can feel good about themselves in comparison to others whom they don’t like or agree with. Sadly, many churches have gone this way too, becoming more like clubs, rather than a movement of God’s Spirit.

When this was happening in Jesus’ day, as was his custom, Jesus told a story. And those with an ear to hear, would pick up the edgy analysis in such a parable, and go away changed. Jesus was concerned for the way people, who viewed themselves highly, came to think about others around them in their community. These were NOT neutral thoughts, but actually did harm, and led to certain exclusions. This particular parable led to a conclusion (in verse 14) … that revealed God’s reaction to inappropriate and destructive behaviour like this – those that exalt themselves above others, would find themselves ultimately brought down; whilst those who had a sober view of themselves and were open to change … they would be lifted up.

God’s Love in Everyday Life

I made a new friend recently. This was a person in grief and need. Of course, I wanted to help, and ultimately I wanted to reveal Jesus to him. But how best to go about this? What sort of person did this guy need me to be? I guess … myself – but I also think that he needed … the best myself I could be. So, what sort of self am I? This parable begs this question! What questions do I have to ask of myself?

As my new friend was vulnerable, I needed to be open and vulnerable, and totally honest; so my past experience of grief might connect with his current grief. But at the same time, he needed me to offer him some hope – how do you move forward from here? Yet, in this situation, you would not want to be that high and mighty Pharisee with all the answers, but rather more of the co-travelling human being, equally vulnerable to the pain of the world.

Two Characters

This parable brings two very different characterisations … which would have had a real basis in real-life situations of the time!

A Pharisee and a tax collector. As the story begins you would think that the Pharisee would be the hero, and the tax collector the villain. The Pharisees were religious leaders and teachers; while tax collectors were notorious oppressors of the poor, fraudsters, conspirators with the Roman authorities, and thus religious outcasts. Surely the Pharisee would be the hero. But not so! This parable contains an unexpected hero.

The two characters both go up to the temple to pray. Our interest should be aroused as a “tax collector” goes up to the temple to pray. What’s this about? This in itself would NOT be particularly expected, just the opposite. We might be surprised, but, in telling the story, Jesus doesn’t seem to convey surprise – rather … simply embraces the possibility.

As a recognised “tax collector”, he wouldn’t be allowed full access to the temple – he had probably already been put in his place previously, coming to sadly accept his rejection … and would just get as close as he could on the property without entering. The Pharisee, of course, had NO such limitations – he was blessed with complete freedom of access.

There are two polar opposites here – we notice huge differences in how they prayed and what they prayed! One is targeted, the other is commended.

The Approach of the Pharisee

We should feel scandalised by the Pharisee’s approach. What could possibly lead to someone being able to say, let alone pray, these words (in verse 11)? Such a superiority complex, or so it would seem!? Standing by himself, as if no one else was good enough to be anywhere near him. Even being prepared to be personal about this … “even like this tax collector” (v 11b) – showing him personal contempt … seemingly right to his face! What lays behind this attitude? Just a hardheartedness toward other people!? A lack of regard for others, especially anyone who is different!? Or, maybe this is a status thing!? Perhaps he’d had such a privileged upbringing, that he had no time nor compassion for anyone who had struggled!? Sometimes we can mistake good fortune, or simple advantage, as God’s blessing; and thereby judge others’ misfortune as a lack of God’s blessing!! That would be wrong of us!

This Pharisee was laying guilt upon others regarding their sins, conveniently missing his own lack of hospitality and any other more private sins that he would need forgiveness for. How then would you describe this Pharisee?? Big-headed, proud, dominating [a very worldly characteristic that one – the exact opposite of ‘serving’], controlling, remote, detached, uncaring, complacent, closed, unfriendly, untouchable, self-satisfied, self-righteous, obnoxious. Perhaps, we could say, more generously, that this Pharisee was possibly compensating for his own very low self-esteem – possibly he was a broken person down deep, covering up under many layers of perceived righteousness. In any case, Jesus was using this character as a tool for our own self-analysis. The approach adopted by this Pharisee will get him or us nowhere (spiritually)!

We look at the Pharisee’s words in verse 12, and discover there a very warped view of spirituality – for him, it was seemingly based on works, rather than where spirituality actually begins … within a relationship. This Pharisee may have been striving so hard to impress God, that he failed to open himself to a relationship (with that same God). This seems to be the point. If we get involved with religious dogma alone, we become destructive, exclusive, rule-based people. We become self-focussed, with a rigid agenda that might meet our need (as we see it), but everybody else gets left out in the cold.

How does this happen? The parable is introduced with the suggestion that there were “some who trusted in themselves (that they were righteous)”. Perhaps this self-centredness and this callous disregard of others begins when take our eyes off God and turn them to the mirror. This is the place where our own personal agendas loom large. Perhaps this happens when we only see the splinter in the eye of others, missing the log in our own eye. Perhaps this happens when we lose sight of the example provided by Jesus in terms of the way to live. Perhaps this happens when we cease the self-examination recommended by Paul every time we come to the Lord’s table. We forget about our dependence on God.

The Pharisee went to the temple to pray, but this was NO prayer at all! Sadly futile! There is obviously nothing God can do for this Pharisee! Could it be that the Pharisee’s major problem was that he simply could not deal with the notion of God’s unconditional love of such a one as the “tax collector”. So, this was an important parable for the twelve disciples to hear. They … were prone to argue about who was the greatest among them, they lobbied for the best positions in heaven, they tried to keep troublesome children away from Jesus. How quickly it seems we want to promote ourselves or defend our position, to the exclusion of others.

The Approach of the Tax Collector

In comparison, what do we notice about the “tax collector” (v 13)?? He had good self-understanding – he knew that things weren’t as they should be. He held back a bit, knowing well about all those people he had cheated – he had much to regret. He bowed his head and beat his chest … sorrowful over the condition his life was in. He knew he needed help, and was open to it. He knew he needed saving. He sincerely desired mercy – he was ‘repenting’ i.e. turning away from sin to go in a new direction. He was truly desirous of transformation. This is being “humble”! He was now on the road of forgiveness and salvation.

One feels he will NOT be a “tax collector” too much longer. Unjust behaviour and picking on the poor would soon be behind him. Soon he could be restored into the community. Once again, it is the least likely that is commended. Earlier in this Gospel, in another parable, it was the reviled “good” Samaritan who was commended as the best of neighbours, when more likely candidates walked past an injured man on the other side of the road. Here, one of the worst of sinners, is prepared, in humility, for a turnaround to take place. Later, the real life character of Zacchaeus (the tax collector) will show the truth of this parable, by completely having his life turned around, and opening his life and home to Jesus.

The ‘proud’ will fall, but the “humble” will be exalted (v 14). We recall that the big Philistine Goliath boasted loud and long, but certainly came a cropper at the hands of another unexpected hero in young David – who had placed himself firmly in the service of God. Here, the Pharisee missed the blessing. It was the “tax collector” that became the unexpected hero of this parable – simply by being willing to admit that he needed mercy and forgiveness. He was ready to receive God’s gift of grace. He was ready to meet the Saviour. This was gold … a glorious reversal … through our God of reversals! Those who sincerely seek mercy from God – WILL FIND IT!

We want recognition … it is such a strong desire; but as followers of Jesus, we should more … want to point to him. The apostle Paul wrote: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not those who commend themselves that are approved, but those whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:18). Our boast should not be in our works, but rather solely … in who we have become … through the cross of Christ.

Conclusion

Different approaches – different outcomes … in two ways!

1. The Pharisee was giving a bad name to his faith, and actively dissuading or excluding people from experiencing God. The attitude we bring to God, to church, and to others, directly affects the outcome. A critical or negative attitude tends to exclude those who would have otherwise come.

On the other hand, the “tax collector” was giving an example of humility and honesty, such that anyone and everyone could access mercy and salvation. We want to create an open space of acceptance for people to come and experience Jesus, and forgiveness, hope and peace. We don’t want people to slip further into despair or darkness for lack of a place of hope. For we know how much God loves all people, with arms open wide for those who would return.

In complete disagreement with the Pharisee, God makes no distinctions. No such thing as more or less worthy. This parable makes a comparison to deter us from comparisons. Everyone is unique to God. And we each need to recover from bad choices. This should alert us to being better able to engage with people exactly where they are in life (rather than where we are … in the first instance).

2. The Pharisee was deluding himself about his personhood and status with God. He was relying on big words and big deeds, without actually opening himself to a growing deepening relationship with God. The Pharisee was on a dead-end street. On the other hand, the “tax collector” was entering a completely new life, filled with all the blessings of knowing Jesus.

Different approaches – different outcomes … in two ways – one very personal … about our discipleship, the other … all about our mission! The mission of the church is to promote the love of God (in Jesus) to the community around us – making disciples from all walks of life (Matthew 28:19).

What sort of a person do we need to be for ourselves? What sort of person do we need to be for others? This parable of Jesus shows that … it’s the same answer to both questions! Humble, sincere, open, responsive to God, a follower of Jesus, receptive to the Holy Spirit, gentle, courageous, and faith-filled.

What we each need to say is this: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner”! Amen.