Reflection by The Rev'd Deborah Broome

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector 

Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”                                           Luke 18:9-14

Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is one of those stories that can catch us out.  It’s easy to hear it and think, “Thank God I’m not like that Pharisee”—which, ironically, puts us in the same self-righteous posture we’re meant to avoid.

The Pharisee is not a villain. The Pharisees were part of a renewal movement in first century Judaism; they were people who were interested in the spirituality of daily living, the building up of home and family life.  Here’s someone who really lives his faith out in his daily life.  He takes personal ethics seriously, he’s a committed family member, he works hard and plays his part in his worshipping community.  Kind of a model parishioner, isn’t he?  This is a guy who’s on all the rosters, who’s part of the same small group of people who organise the fund-raising events.  Certainly the kind of person we’d love to have on Vestry or leading a ministry team.  But his prayer unfortunately reveals something deeper: he trusts in himself.  His focus is on his own achievements, and he assumes God must surely agree with his self-assessment.

The tax collector, on the other hand, is not a model citizen. He’s likely involved in shady dealings and represents a system of oppression. Yet he comes before God with honesty and humility.  He doesn’t list his accomplishments or compare himself to others.  He simply asks for mercy.

The key difference between the two men in the parable isn’t that one is the good guy and one is the bad guy, that one is righteous and one is unrighteous.  If that was all there was, Jesus wouldn’t have told the story and Luke wouldn’t have bothered to include it.  The difference between the two is about posture. The Pharisee stands tall, confident in his own righteousness.  The tax collector stands at a distance, aware of his need for grace.  And it’s the tax collector who goes home justified.

God’s grace is not reserved for the successful or the religious elite.  It’s given to those who are open, who are willing to admit their need.  This parable challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual posture.  Are we relying on our own efforts, our own goodness, our own plans?  Or are we willing to come before God in vulnerability, acknowledging that we can’t do it all on our own?

In church life, it’s tempting to build visions and strategies based on what seems achievable. But if we leave God out of the process, we risk crafting something that’s efficient but not Spirit-led.  The tax collector reminds us that grace begins where self-reliance ends.

This week, may we take the risk of vulnerability – before God and one another.  May we admit that we need help, that we need grace, and that we need each other.  For it’s in that mutual dependence that true community is formed – the kind of community God longs to bless.