The Publican and the Pharisee

Reading Portion

Luke 18:9-14

Lesson Content

1. Publicans were tax collectors. They used to be very cruel and oppress the people while collecting taxes. They would exact more money than the appointed tax (Lk.3:12,13). and take money by false accusation (Lk.19:8). Therefore they were considered traitors and were looked down upon by every one. They were counted as sinners and outcasts (Matt.9:11).

2. The Pharisees were a zealous group of Jews. They added many ri tuals to the law of Moses and followed them strictly. They loved the uppermost room in the feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues and greetings in the markets (Matt.23:6,7). They used to make long prayers for pretence (Matt.23:14). They paid tithe o f mint, anise and cummin but passed over judgment, mercy and faith (Matt.23:23). They were very particular to clean the outside of cups and platters, but these were full of extortion and excess within (Matt.23:25). This led others to consider them as hypocrites.

3. Two men went to the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican (Lk.18:10).

4. The Pharisee’s prayer — despising others and counting himself to be righteous (Lk.18:11,12).

5. The publican’s prayer with a contrite heart acknowled ging himself a sinner, humbling and putting his trust in God’s mercy (Lk.18:13).

6. It was the publican who returned to his house justified rather than the Pharisee (Lk.18:14).

Moral

We should not be satisfied in our good works alone but must realize o ur faults and humble ourselves in the presence of God, trusting in His mercy. And then He will make us righteous.