1. Following Jesus The Red Letters Gabe Orea. XICF. April 3, 2016. LXIV

2. LUKE 18:9-17

3. 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted din themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ L U K E 18

4. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” L U K E 18

5. Pharisee Tax Collector

6. Pharisee Tax Collector Highly esteemed group in Jewish society. No Pharisee would ever sell out his people for gain. Josephus: “A body of Jews known for surpassing the others in the observance of piety and exact interpretation of the laws.”

7. Pharisee Tax Collector the scum of Jewish society. third-level servants of the Roman tax system. were considered monsters, and in fact some were. religious and political traitors to Hebrew society—completely shameful. They were disallowed from public office and were barred from giving testimony in court.

8. 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

9. “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.”

10. “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.”

11. L U K E 18

12. “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

13. Like the Pharisee, the tax collector came to pray, but with a difference. It is one thing to publicly announce your virtues, and it is quite another to proclaim your sins.

14. Forgiven? Justified?

15. 15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” L U K E 18

17. Does not depend on self-righteousness Complete and sincere trust Depend on God’s mercy No pride on knowledge Absolutely helpless

18. Does not depend on self-righteousness Complete and sincere trust Depend on God’s mercy No pride on knowledge Absolutely helpless

19. Video: Which side of the heart?