Q13. Pharisee and Publican

[Pastor Ralph]

Q13. (Luke 18:9-14) How does the Pharisee in this parable exalt himself? How do comparison and looking down on others reflect pride? How does the tax collector humble himself? Jesus says that the tax collector is “justified before God.” Is deep repentance or humbling oneself before God necessary for salvation? Does repentance have anything to do with faith or “believing in Jesus”?

[Bianca]

The Pharisee thought that he wasn't like other people who go around sinning because of the works he does and he viewed robbers and others as beneath him and because of certain sins others did that made them less than him and they don't deserve the things the Pharisee does. Which was the wrong behavior to have. 

 

Always comparing ourselves to others and looking down on others blinds us from seeing our own faults and keeps us from repenting . A person can't see the truth about themselves and hear God's voice accurately if they are always critical towards others and downing others all the time. We need soft hearts to hear God's voice. 

 

The tax collector realizes in his heart that he has fallen short of God's standard as we all have. Yes repentance and humbling yourself is necessary for salvation. How can one truly become saved and don't recognize that they are wrong and not good enough on their own to make it into heaven? They can't make it.

Yes repentance has to do with believing in Jesus. It takes Faith to accept Jesus. 

[Brother Clifford wilson]

This parable is life applicating.  The pharisees exalted himself most studiously.  His prayers consisted of comparing his cleanness to others; self-serving in praise and glory; This is how I am lord compare me and bless me. He was so much into his self he considered self above the sinners and able to describe others sinfulness prayer.  The tax collector humbled himself immediately showing his meekness and repentance before God.  Daring not to raise his head, almost dead to self, showing strength in the releasing of self.  The point when a sinner becomes released, of the self that he is repenting from.  The Lord restores that person Deep repentance ignites the spirit and he is blessed, and restoration process begins in the person.  I think that the lord responds when the spirit in the repented person arrives in his presence in a restoring condition.

[Jewells]

Q13. (Luke 18:9-14) How does the Pharisee in this parable exalt himself? How do comparison and looking down on others reflect pride? How does the tax collector humble himself? Jesus says that the tax collector is "justified before God." Is deep repentance or humbling oneself before God necessary for salvation? Does repentance have anything to do with faith or "believing in Jesus"?

The Pharisee sees himself through whatever advantages life has given him, education, good family, finances, status, personal gifts such as add value such as public speaking etc., social alliances, physical strength, and compared to others he is doing just great!!  He thinks to himself that he is in right standing keeping all the laws and is worthy to come before God.  The Lord is showing us he looks at the heart and the Pharisee is not seeing what God sees at all.  The Pharisee is thanking God that he is not like other men so has put himself above and distancing from anyone God would have put him there to help.  The Pharisee can't see his true condition.  The tax collector realizes that he is not in a good place.  He is a social outcast.  He has betrayed his people.  He courageously approaches God depending on mercy with his head down.  He knows he is weak.  He knows he has no righteousness.  He has no answers.  He must come to God for answers and so he humbles himself.  He wouldn't even know where to begin.  I do think we have to humble ourselves to be saved (repent for the kingdom of God is at hand).  We have to be willing to admit what we are doing is not working and to receive guidance and direction (entrance to the kingdom principles) for kingdom living and Holy Spirit led life not a self directed life. 

[Zanele Tlhakanelo]

The Pharisee exalts himself by indicating all the things he does which accordingly to him are the most important in the eyes of God like fasting, tithing and he indicates that he is not sinner like all others.

Believing that he is doing the correct things, he looks down upon others because he believes that following the law is an important thing to do instead of humbling himself. Him boasting is an indication that he thinks high of himself and looks down on others because they are not of the same class as him. He forgets that God is not a respecter of person and it is God who exalts those who humble themselves and humbles those who exalts themselves. God looks at the heart and the intention behind doing an act.

The tax collector firstly moves to a far corner because he wants to have a personal talk with God and does not want to be heard as he presents his case before Him. He humbles himself by acknowledging that he is a sinner  and shows repentance by beating his breast.

Both deep repentance and humbling are necessary for salvation because if we repent and humble ourselves, God will surely forgive us.

Repentance is believing in Jesus as the Lamb of God who shared His blood to have all our sins forgiven. Christ Jesus became a ransom for all and it is up to all of us to confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of our lives.

[Clelie]

The Pharisee in the parable exalted  himself before God for doing good and comparing himself more righteous than the tax collector. By doing this he showed  contempt for those who are not like him a Pharisee. 

The tax collector on the other hand acknowledging his status  , he pleaded for forgiveness before the holy God.He would not even dare to look up but kept his eyed looking down  because he feared the Holy God. He confessed his sin and asked for mercy.

John the Baptist was calling people to be baptized for repentance, preparing them to receive Christ for salvation.

 

Repentance comes from conviction of one’s unrighteousness and the turning away from it. 

[Dr. Gracie L. Adderly]

The Pharisee prayed about how good he was - exalting himself by likening himself in contrast to others. He explicitly mentioned not being like "other men" or "this tax collector" in his prayer, pointing out his perceived superiority.

Further, he openly boasted about "his" righteousness, failing to attribute it to God. Essentially, he elevated his image by putting himself above others in terms of piety and morality. 

But the tax collector asked for God’s mercy as he was a sinner. NOTE: Tax collectors were hated, regarded as sinners. They were Jews who worked for the Romans, so this made them traitors. Tax collectors were not paid an actual wage by the Romans, they were expected to take extra money and keep some for themselves - tax collectors, deemed dishonest and abused the system by stealing.

The tax collector, on the other hand, put his head down and kept hitting himself to show how sorry he was.

In humility, he knew he was a sinner that needed God to forgive him. Thus, only the tax collector had pleased God, as he demonstrated humility by asking for forgiveness. 

[Brenda Joy]

Q13. (Luke 18:9-14) How does the Pharisee in this parable exalt himself? How do comparison and looking down on others reflect pride? How does the tax collector humble himself? Jesus says that the tax collector is "justified before God." Is deep repentance or humbling oneself before God necessary for salvation? Does repentance have anything to do with faith or "believing in Jesus"?

The Pharisee exalts himself by seeing himself as righteous over others.  He treats others with guilt.  The tax collector can't even raise his head to heaven to pray.  He recognizes his own sin and owns his error.  That is the beginning of repentance.    Deep repentance is necessary because there must be a change in heart and behavior.  When we repent (turn 180 degrees in the opposite way) we turn to the God and the Holy Spirit is then given the ability to work with, in and through us.  We are then yielded to the will of the Father.

 

[Mama Eve]

Q.13 (Luke 18:9-14) How does the Pharisee in the parable exalt himself?

The Pharisee exalts himself by standing alone, suggesting he's better than other people. He's loud in praying so the public could hear him. He claims righteousness, and how his practices exceed the Mosaic Law. To finish the Pharisee thanks God for not being like the tax collector. This is definitely pride because it's all about him.

How do comparison and looking down on other as reflect pride?

Constantly, comparing ourselves to others can lead to feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and self-esteem. When people compare themselves to others, they think they are better than others. 

How does the tax collector humble himself?

The tax collector stands at a distance. Standing is also reverence to God. He does not look up to heaven but beat his breast because he had nothing to offer to God except his guilt. Also, a meaning of deep expression of sorrow and humility, and repentance. This spoke volume because it also signify his recognition of his own sinfulness and desperate plea for God's mercy. A short prayer with a powerful meaning and he went home justified.

Is deep repentance or humbling oneself before God necessary for salvation?

I believe repentance or humbling oneself before God is necessary for salvation because it signifies a turning away from sin and a genuine acceptance of Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior making it a key component of conversion to be able to received God's Grace.

Does repentance have anything to do with Faith or believing in Jesus?

Yes! because repentance is the act of turning away from sin and toward God in the help of receiving mercy. Faith is the act of trusting Our Lord and embracing Jesus Christ as Our Savior. The two correspond closely in the life of the believer.

[George L]

Q13. (Luke 18:9-14)

1.   How does the Pharisee in this parable exalt himself? He declares his adherence to the law.
2. How do comparison and looking down on others reflect pride? It places us in position based on another man’s condition, not upon our condition in relation to Gods perfection.
3. How does the tax collector humble himself? Jesus says that the tax collector is "justified before God." He admits he is far below God’s perfection needing grace and mercy.
4. Is deep repentance or humbling oneself before God necessary for salvation? If we will empty our self to him, for his use, then we can become a delivery vessel for the blessings he wants to place within us. Vessel of honor, daily washed clean and made ready. Make me ready is far better than I am ready.
5. Does repentance have anything to do with faith or "believing in Jesus"? It takes faith to come to God at all. Faith in our own works is folly. Faith in what Christ has done for us allows us to become a tool, in the Masters tool bag. Heb. 5:14. “By reason of use have their senses exercised…” Father can use a formable tool and the more he uses use us the more fitted we become to the Masters hand.

[Lisa Wolf]

Q13. (Luke 18:9-14) How does the Pharisee in this parable exalt himself? How do comparison and looking down on others reflect pride? How does the tax collector humble himself? Jesus says that the tax collector is “justified before God.” Is deep repentance or humbling oneself before God necessary for salvation? Does repentance have anything to do with faith or “believing in Jesus”? 

The Pharisee starts off his 'prayer' with thanking God he is not like....comparing ourselves to others and looking down on them is basic pride. On the other hand, the Tax Collector is mortified before the presence of God and asks for God's mercy.  Faith is critical to believing Jesus.  Hebrews 11:6 states, And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him."  Faith that Jesus is real brings us to repent--to know we are sinners as we see ourselves next to Jesus and His Holiness.  When we read 1Peter 1:24 we know that Jesus paid our debt; He was on the cross for our sin, not His.  This brings us to deep, humbling repentance. “He Himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”

[hanks]

Q13. (LUKE 18:9-14) 
How does the Pharisee in this parable exalt himself? How do comparison and looking down on others reflect pride? How does the tax collector humble himself? Jesus says that the tax collector is "justified before God." Is deep repentance or humbling oneself before God necessary for salvation? Does repentance have anything to do with faith or "believing in Jesus"? 
I don’t think that the Pharisee even went to the Temple to earnestly pray but rather for all to hear him boast about his self-righteousness, and his achievements – he fasts twice a week and gives a tenth of all he has. Here he is comparing himself with others and looking down on them as well, revealing the true state of his heart – full of pride. In contrast we see the tax collector humbling himself by admitting his own unworthiness as a sinner, not even worthy of raising his eyes to heaven, and beating his breast crying out to God for mercy. He is justified before God meaning he is righteous in the eyes of our Heavenly Father – his sins have been blotted out. It is only my means of repentance and a humble heart that we can even approach God’s throne of grace for forgiveness of our sins. Repentance has everything to-do with faith in Christ. The turning from sin is called repentance and the turning to Christ is called faith. We don’t first turn from sin and next put our trust in Christ, or first our trust in Christ and then turn from sin, but rather that both occur at the same time. When we turn to Christ for salvation from our sins, we are simultaneously turning away from the sins that we are asking Christ to save us from. If that were not true our turning to Christ for salvation from sin could hardly be a genuine turning to Him or trusting in Him. When thinking only of ourselves, it is impossible to put God’s Word into practice. But when we learn to put others first, we will be far more ready to care for their concern before our own. In so doing, we can truly be unified within the body of Christ. 
 

[Nicolaas A.P. Mostert]

Q13. (Luke 18:9-14)

How does the Pharisee in this parable exalt himself?

Pharisees tended to "look down on" (NIV) everyone else as unrighteous. They "treated others with contempt"

 GOD thank you that I am not like other men robbers, evildoers, adulterers and or even like this tax collector. 

How do comparison and looking down on others reflect pride?

You put yourself above others.

How does the tax collector humble himself?

He describes himself to God as a sinner. He makes no excuses for his behavior, offers no mitigating circumstances. He confesses his sinfulness before God and takes full responsibility for it.

Jesus says that the tax collector is "justified before God."

He has repented, he tell GOD about his inner being.

Is deep repentance or humbling oneself before God necessary for salvation?

Yes.

Does repentance have anything to do with faith or "believing in Jesus"?

Yes.

 

[Janzie]

On 8/12/2024 at 8:45 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q13. (Luke 18:9-14) How does the Pharisee in this parable exalt himself? How do comparison and looking down on others reflect pride? How does the tax collector humble himself? Jesus says that the tax collector is “justified before God.” Is deep repentance or humbling oneself before God necessary for salvation? Does repentance have anything to do with faith or “believing in Jesus”?

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.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'" (Luke 18:11-12)

Looking down on others reflects pride because you are thinking you are better than them - full of pride.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13)

Yes, humbling oneself in deep repentance is necessary for salvation.  The publican asked for forgiveness, a faith filled act, believing God to forgive him.

Yes, repent, faith and believe!  When we come before God in faith and ask for forgiveness, and believe that Jesus died for our sins and took the penalty and that we need Him to come into our lives.

[Krissi]

The pharisee built himself up in front of others by posing, acting as if he were morally superior to people who sin (all of us), fasting publicly and tithing in front of others. What characterized his lack of humility was the PUBLIC nature of what he was doing, not the acts themselves. It is not wrong to fast, but it is wrong to fast openly. It is not wrong to tithe, but it is wrong to talk about your giving. It is not wrong to stand off from the others, but it is wrong to do so because you disregard them. Etc.

The tax collector, though, was less public in his acts. He stood in the shadows, away from prying eyes. He hid his face in his hands. And, most importantly, he acknowledged his own sinfulness.

If the tax collector is justified before God, as Jesus says, than quiet, withdrawn and self-denying behavior is what God desires from us.

Perhaps we are saved incrementally as we mature in Him, not when we reach some God-determined level of repentance/humility. The idea that salvation is instantaneous is very deeply embedded in my thinking, however when most people hear the gospel, they really don't understand it. They understand just enough to repent -- in a shallow manner -- but as they continue in the Christian life, they understand more and more what they had already done. So though salvation, then, may be instantaneous, our awareness and understanding of it can drag out over a long period of time. For this reason I don't think DEEP repentance is necessary for salvation. Increasingly I think that we are drawn to Him by the Spirit, not our own sense of guilt or shame. Some sort of repentance is necessary, however -- a mustard-see-like understanding of salvation , guilt and God Himself is needed to repent.

I guess I'm saying that repentance has to be judged on a sliding scale though salvation is not. 

 

[Kak]

Q13. The Pharisee here is proud and self assured. He doesn’t bow his head but starts to tell God of all the things he does, he does the right things but his heart and ego are totally in the wrong place. When we look down on others it means that we think we are better than them in some way, this is not what Jesus taught. In God’s eyes we are all equal, no matter who we are. The Pharisee in this parable and tells God that he is not like the tax collector, he is full of pride and his own importance. The tax collector comes into the temple, stands at the back with his head bent and asks God’s forgiveness for the sins he has committed. He does not try to justify his sins but openly accepts his guilt and is sorry. He asks God’s forgiveness. His words are few but full of humility and repentance in constrast to the Pharisee.

We do need to acknowledge our sin and seek forgiveness when we start to follow Jesus. As the spirit comes to us He convicts us of sin and we realise the seriousness of all we have done and it is then in seeking forgiveness and deciding to follow Jesus that we receive Salvation. Praise God!