The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Gospel of Luke

Apr 2

Written By JJ Lane

Teaching Notes

There are two types of people in this world, good and bad. The good sleep better and the bad seem to enjoy the waking hours much more.

Two men went up to the temple to pray…
Luke 18:10a NIV
Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
Luke 18:10 NIV
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people - 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 all of those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Luke 18:10-14 NIV

We walk in pride when we focus only on ourselves.

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, evil, doers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
Luke 18:11-12 NIV

We walk in humility when we focus on the sacrifice.

The tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even look up to heaven, but beat his chest and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Luke 18:13 NIV
I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.
Luke 18:14a NIV

Fix our eyes on Jesus.