The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican

Amos 5:6-15 Ash Wednesday
Hebrews 12:1-14 February 17, 2010

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 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.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. - Luke 18:9-14

Lost to our time and culture but painfully obvious to the hearers of Jesus’ day was the context into which Jesus places the parable, “two men went up to the temple to pray…” It was unheard of for any man to pray standing by himself. A minyan (which literally means to count, number; pl. minyanim) in Judaism refers to the quorum required for certain religious obligations, which is ten men.[1] The fact that these men were at the temple praying outside of the sacred assembly meant only one thing. There had been scandal. They had been placed under a ban.The fact that they could only pray individually tells us there had been humiliation, dishonor and shame. They had been excluded because of some public sin. The contrast between the two men and their prayer is evident. One trusted in himself and felt justified to focus on his own merits. The other, by contrast, pleads for mercy. The old song sings, “faith looks to Jesus Christ alone who did for all the world atone, He is our one redeemer.”[2]

Today we begin the Holy season of Lent as we walk with the Savior observing His passion suffering and death. For our offenses the Son of Man was willing to suffer in our stead. As we contemplate our need and the Savior’s sacrifice for us may we like this simple man pray the prayer of faith, “God have mercy upon me, a sinner.”

Almighty and everlasting God, who hates nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.[3]

[1] The source for the requirement of minyan is recorded in the Talmud.
[2] Salvation Unto Us Has Come from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] Collect for Ash Wednesday Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.