A Modern-day Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector [Lk 18:9-14]

And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt. [Lk 18:9] 

The two go together – self-righteousness and judging with contempt. A Pharisee (according to his own reality) convinced himself that he did all the ‘right’ things. He was quick to judge the sin of others but slow to judge his own. He was quite comfy enough to magnify the sin of others while minimizing his own.

Hypocritical and hypercritical judging was a great concern when Jesus walked this earth. 

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you – this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” [Lk 18:10-14]

Being hypocritical means having a false sense of virtues, beliefs, principles that one does not actually possess. It’s acting in a way that goes against one’s stated beliefs. The literal translation of this Greek word is – acting a part. It is most commonly used when talking about religious or political figures. This is very interesting because the Pharisees were both religious and political. Hypercritical is to be harshly, unreasonably and excessively critical. People who are like this mainly do two things – complain and condemn. The definitions of both of these words sound very similar. That’s because one who is hypocritical usually is hypercritical…and vice versa.

Here is a modern-day spin on the parable of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector --

Two women went to a lady’s Bible study (each with a different motive for going). One felt that the other ladies could benefit from all her successful life experiences and accomplishments. The other felt desperate to have God restore her from all her past choices and previous lifestyle. The leader decided to begin class with a time of open prayer. The first lady volunteered herself to pray because she knew that she was the most and perhaps the only qualified. She paused and took a soft breath and prayed an empty prayer that consisted of how right she thought was. 

‘God, I thank You that I have never been like most have chosen to be. I have lived a rather good life and am overall a good person. I have never stolen or taken anything from anyone...never been arrested or accused of doing anything illegal or wrong...nor have I ever had an adulterous affair...or ever voted for the wrong political party. And I thank you that I’m not like those who really are just...so ungodly. I am very careful about what I eat and how I take care of my body...and I make sure that I pray each and every morning...and night. And God, I thank You that I’ve always been so very faithful to give back a portion of what I’ve made each week... because as You know, ten percent is Yours. In uh…Jesus’ name. Amen.

There was a rather long and uncomfortable pause and then the leader then did something that surprised even herself. Yet, she felt so compelled to. She called upon Tammi to pray. Tammi was someone all the ladies knew…too well. They all knew about her previous lifestyle and how that led to some serious consequences in her life. She was a single mom, divorced, and worked two jobs in order to make ends meet. Most of the ladies convinced themselves that she just was not ‘safe’ enough to be around. Still, she faithfully attended church and Bible study each week. 

Tammi was quite surprised and reluctant when she was called upon to pray. Yet, she did not want to let her leader down whom she had just met at the local grocery store where she worked. Every Sunday Tammi came to church, her leader was there to welcome and sit with her. Yeah, she couldn’t let her down…so she agreed to pray. And with her head in her hands, sobbing almost uncontrollably, unwilling to lift her head up and trying to hold back her tears (those grateful tears)…Tammi prayed the following prayer--

‘God, thank You for Your mercy…for Your grace…that You would forgive someone as sinful as me!’ 

I tell you, Tammi left that study justified and made right by and with God...rather than the self-righteous lady who foolishly tried to convince herself and others she could make herself “right.” For everyone who exalts herself will be humbled, but she who humbles herself will be exalted.”