WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.259 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christchurch. 00:00:05.259 --> 00:00:15.419 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christchurch. 00:00:15.419 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:26.679 --> 00:00:31.339 Good morning. I'm Sebastian Juan. I am part of the Alameda Group. 00:00:32.259 --> 00:00:34.359 A reading from the Gospel according to Luke. 00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:37.240 Luke chapter 18 verse 1. 00:00:37.740 --> 00:00:43.280 Then God told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:50.620 He said, In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 00:00:51.219 --> 00:00:57.719 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 00:00:58.200 --> 00:01:00.560 Grant me justice against my adversary. 00:01:01.260 --> 00:01:05.180 For some time he refused, but finally he said to himself, 00:01:05.180 --> 00:01:10.140 Even though I do not fear God or care what people think, 00:01:10.520 --> 00:01:13.380 Yet because this widow keeps bothering me, 00:01:13.820 --> 00:01:20.320 I will see that she gets justice so that she won't eventually come and attack me. 00:01:21.020 --> 00:01:22.100 And the Lord said, 00:01:22.440 --> 00:01:24.380 Listen to what the injustice says. 00:01:24.900 --> 00:01:32.520 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:34.879 Will he keep putting them off? 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:40.459 I tell you, he will see that they get justice and quickly, however. 00:01:41.219 --> 00:01:44.920 When the Son of Man comes, he will find faith on the earth. 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:52.620 To some who were confident of their very own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:54.340 Jesus told this parable. 00:01:54.739 --> 00:01:57.519 Two men went up to the temple to pray. 00:01:57.859 --> 00:02:00.560 One a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:03.640 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, 00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:07.260 God, I thank you that I am not like other people, 00:02:07.659 --> 00:02:13.500 robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 00:02:14.180 --> 00:02:18.640 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get, 00:02:18.920 --> 00:02:21.219 but the tax collector stood at a distance. 00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:23.580 He would not even look up to heaven, 00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:25.900 but beat his breast and said, 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:28.900 God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:33.219 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:35.719 went home justified before God, 00:02:35.819 --> 00:02:39.319 for all those who exalt himself will be humbled, 00:02:39.920 --> 00:02:42.700 and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:44.960 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:47.240 This is the gospel of Christ. 00:02:52.600 --> 00:02:53.620 Fantastic reading. 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:54.560 Thank you, Sebastian. 00:02:54.780 --> 00:02:55.580 Good stuff, man. 00:02:57.680 --> 00:02:58.620 Well, good morning. 00:02:59.100 --> 00:03:00.820 We have been trying to, 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:03.120 over the course of the last few weeks, 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:04.300 we've just been looking at 00:03:04.300 --> 00:03:07.900 the parables in the gospel of Luke 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:11.560 and seeking to just introduce you to Jesus, 00:03:11.900 --> 00:03:14.099 introduce you to the basic teachings of Jesus 00:03:14.099 --> 00:03:16.259 through those parables, 00:03:16.420 --> 00:03:19.000 and today you get two parables for the price of one. 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:21.360 It's a good Sunday here at Christ Church. 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:25.560 You notice right away that the people in these parables 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:28.200 are engaged in a spiritual practice 00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:30.680 that most people, whether they believe in God or not, 00:03:31.020 --> 00:03:32.599 have done, and that is to pray. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:36.800 And we're going to talk about this Pharisee 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:39.860 and tax collector that are praying in the temple first 00:03:39.860 --> 00:03:42.560 and look at the surprising twist 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:45.560 and kind of unexpected punch of Jesus' story there. 00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:47.380 And then we're going to talk about 00:03:47.380 --> 00:03:51.920 this amazing, tenacious, feisty widow 00:03:51.920 --> 00:03:54.780 whom Jesus holds up for us 00:03:54.780 --> 00:03:57.920 as this beautiful example of faithful 00:03:57.920 --> 00:04:01.480 and persevering prayer that refuses to give up. 00:04:01.480 --> 00:04:04.680 So, as we dive in, just a quick reminder 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:08.819 of who the Pharisees and the tax collectors were. 00:04:09.020 --> 00:04:12.120 You see there in verse 9, it says, 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:14.200 to some who were confident of their own righteousness 00:04:14.200 --> 00:04:16.139 and looked down on everyone else, 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:17.120 Jesus told this parable, 00:04:17.280 --> 00:04:19.699 two men went up to the temple to pray, 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:22.759 one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:24.840 Now, who were the religious Pharisees 00:04:24.840 --> 00:04:27.019 and the irreligious tax collectors? 00:04:27.019 --> 00:04:30.959 The Pharisees, they were these admired 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:33.560 and respected leaders in their community. 00:04:34.419 --> 00:04:36.099 They had a high view of God, 00:04:36.180 --> 00:04:39.519 a high view of the authority of the scriptures. 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:43.180 They were scrupulous in obeying God's law. 00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:46.219 They very often went beyond what God's law required. 00:04:47.099 --> 00:04:49.899 And these folks were generous with their money. 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:53.060 They were charitable toward the poor and the needy. 00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:55.519 And then what about these tax collectors? 00:04:55.519 --> 00:04:59.959 These were not like our friendly IRS agents 00:04:59.959 --> 00:05:04.599 who were gonna receive our taxes on April 15th. 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:07.000 And aren't we thankful for these government workers, 00:05:07.859 --> 00:05:09.060 these IRS agents? 00:05:10.019 --> 00:05:12.439 You gotta remember that in Israel, 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:14.419 the people of God, they had been conquered. 00:05:14.699 --> 00:05:17.299 They were occupied by the Roman Empire. 00:05:18.359 --> 00:05:21.839 And the empire was taking these enormous spoils of war 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:23.079 that they called taxes. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:26.000 And they transferred them back to Rome. 00:05:26.039 --> 00:05:27.959 And I'm so, so tempted this morning 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:30.120 to just spend a moment outlining for you 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:32.439 the difference between taxes and tariffs. 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:34.479 But that would be a massive distraction. 00:05:35.039 --> 00:05:36.560 And so what I'm doing right now 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:38.399 is exercising incredible self-control 00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:40.579 in resisting that temptation. 00:05:41.519 --> 00:05:42.979 But basically, the Roman Empire, 00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:44.419 they would hire these Jewish men 00:05:44.419 --> 00:05:47.159 and they were to collect the taxes. 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:48.259 And they said, hey, if you want, 00:05:48.339 --> 00:05:49.919 you can just charge as much as you like. 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:52.540 And you can line your own pockets with the money. 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:55.259 And so these guys were, they were loathed. 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:58.720 They were hated because they were enormously greedy. 00:05:59.520 --> 00:06:02.420 They were the dishonest extortioners 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:04.420 that became fabulously wealthy 00:06:04.420 --> 00:06:06.840 by betraying their fellow citizens 00:06:06.840 --> 00:06:09.900 and collaborating with their imperialist enemies. 00:06:10.100 --> 00:06:13.080 And so when Jesus begins this parable, 00:06:13.960 --> 00:06:16.920 comparing the most religious people in that society 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:20.259 with the most irreligious and corrupt 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:21.600 and despised traitors, 00:06:22.340 --> 00:06:24.840 all the people listening would have assumed 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:27.120 that the Pharisee would be the hero of the story 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:29.759 and the tax collector would be the villain. 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:33.000 So with that, I want to explore this 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:34.759 under three headings. 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:35.800 Surprise, surprise. 00:06:37.400 --> 00:06:39.580 First of all, I want to talk about how not to pray. 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:42.620 Secondly, how to pray humbly. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:45.300 And third, how to pray faithfully. 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:45.780 Okay? 00:06:46.460 --> 00:06:48.379 So how not to pray, how to pray humbly, 00:06:48.460 --> 00:06:50.139 how to pray faithfully. 00:06:50.740 --> 00:06:54.740 So how not to pray, look at verse 11. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:58.620 The Pharisee and the other tax collector, 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:00.980 the Pharisee stood by himself and he prayed, 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:04.800 God, I thank you that I'm not like other people, 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:07.139 robbers, evildoers, and adulterers, 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:08.500 or even like this tax collector. 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:11.860 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:13.840 Now what is right and good about that prayer 00:07:13.840 --> 00:07:17.280 and what is wrong and bad about that prayer? 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:20.759 Well, what's right and good is that he starts with God. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:21.639 God exists. 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:24.540 God is the source of all being and life. 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:26.759 God is worthy of prayer. 00:07:26.900 --> 00:07:30.139 He's worthy of the people that he's made in his image 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:31.600 and given them the very breath of life. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:32.780 He's worthy to hear from them, 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:34.020 God, I thank you. 00:07:34.520 --> 00:07:34.680 Right? 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:37.240 He's worthy of our thanks and our praise. 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:40.900 And in many ways, this man who's praying, 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:42.100 he's a good man. 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:43.459 He's an exemplary man. 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:48.199 And he begins by speaking first about all the vices 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:50.960 from which he's abstained 00:07:50.960 --> 00:07:53.199 that are outlined in the Ten Commandments. 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:55.220 So when you look at the Ten Commandments 00:07:55.220 --> 00:07:57.420 in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, 00:07:58.259 --> 00:07:59.259 you go down that list. 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:01.519 Number eight on that list is robbery. 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:02.079 Right? 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:05.319 And that's just taking stuff that's not yours, 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:06.699 stuff that belongs to other people. 00:08:06.899 --> 00:08:09.139 It's talking about cheating in business 00:08:09.139 --> 00:08:10.620 and skimming off the top. 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:12.740 He says, I've managed to not do that. 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:16.579 And then he gets to number seven on that list, adultery, 00:08:16.719 --> 00:08:19.180 which is having sex with a single person 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:21.639 that is someone's potential future spouse 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:23.439 or with a married person 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:26.560 who's someone's current present spouse. 00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:28.060 And he says, I haven't done that either. 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:31.019 I've stuck close to the Ten Commandments. 00:08:31.019 --> 00:08:34.059 I've tried to preserve and protect the lives, 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:37.639 the property, the businesses, the bodies, 00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:39.319 the families, the relationships 00:08:39.319 --> 00:08:42.079 of the people around me, including myself. 00:08:42.939 --> 00:08:44.480 And then he begins to speak about 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:48.120 the pious practices in which he engages. 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:52.379 And the Torah talks about these things 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:53.240 in all sorts of places. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:56.379 But for example, if you went to Leviticus 23, 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:59.600 it talks about fasting one day a year 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:01.419 on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:03.100 that you would just not eat 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:07.299 and you would observe that day of the atonement. 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:10.460 Or in Deuteronomy 14, it says that you would tithe 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:13.980 and you would give 10% of all the income 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:16.220 that you get on your crops and on your produce. 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:19.799 And so this guy, he conceives rightly 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:21.840 that a relationship with God 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:24.200 is absolutely all-encompassing. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:25.360 If it doesn't touch your stomach, 00:09:25.560 --> 00:09:26.639 if it doesn't touch your wallet, 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:28.580 it's really not much of a relationship. 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:32.200 And he's living according to God's standards 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:33.519 of righteousness. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:36.460 In fact, he goes beyond what God requires. 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:39.200 Instead of fasting one time a year, 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:41.160 he says, I fast two times a week. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:44.639 He says, instead of tithing only on my income, 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:46.620 I give 10% of all that I get. 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:49.419 Any of the stuff that I buy, 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:51.460 any of the gifts I receive, I tithe on that. 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:55.440 And it's hard to argue that society 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:57.200 would not be better off 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:01.000 if there were more people like this 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:03.220 who were honest in their business dealings, 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:05.720 who were faithful in their sexuality, 00:10:06.560 --> 00:10:08.379 who were generous with their money, right? 00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:10.639 And maybe you know some people like this. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:11.779 They live a good life. 00:10:12.919 --> 00:10:14.560 But what's wrong with this guy, 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:15.859 according to Jesus, 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:18.599 is that the spirit of his prayer 00:10:18.599 --> 00:10:21.679 and the heart out of which that prayer is uttered 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:24.139 is all wrong, right? 00:10:24.199 --> 00:10:27.019 Because after the opening word to God, 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:28.919 he doesn't refer to God again. 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:32.619 But he himself is never out of the picture, right? 00:10:32.679 --> 00:10:33.919 He glances at God, 00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:36.079 but he's really kind of fixated on himself. 00:10:37.359 --> 00:10:40.139 He's a self-centered, not a God-centered person. 00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:43.139 And he doesn't ask anything from God. 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:46.439 In fact, he doesn't even seem to need God at all. 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:48.379 Now, if he had said, 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:51.519 God, I thank you for protecting me 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:55.139 in such a way that my life hasn't become corrupt, 00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:57.919 that you protected me from abject hunger, 00:10:58.000 --> 00:10:59.360 in which I would have been tempted 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:02.179 to become a thief in order to feed my family. 00:11:03.199 --> 00:11:05.659 Or God, I thank you that you protected me from poverty, 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:07.960 where I wouldn't even have any money 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:09.559 and wouldn't be in a position to give. 00:11:09.659 --> 00:11:10.139 Thank you. 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:11.639 But he doesn't say that. 00:11:11.699 --> 00:11:15.279 He seems to see his not succumbing 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:19.179 to stealing and sexual immorality 00:11:19.179 --> 00:11:20.600 and greed and miserliness 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:23.919 and all these things as his own doing, right? 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:26.620 He gives no thanks for what God has done, 00:11:26.679 --> 00:11:28.000 but rather he gives a list 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:30.539 of his own personal achievements. 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:35.019 Now, this guy would be an impeccable example 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:39.079 to imitate if humility before God 00:11:39.079 --> 00:11:41.000 and compassion for our neighbors didn't matter. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:43.500 But they do matter. 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:45.980 They matter supremely. 00:11:46.779 --> 00:11:50.740 This guy is praying without a sense of his need. 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:54.139 He's praying without a sense of dependence 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:56.340 on the mercy of God. 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:59.259 In many ways, he's like that older son 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:01.420 that we met in Luke 15 last week. 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:03.300 Remember the parable of the prodigal sons? 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:07.379 That guy who was confident in his own righteousness. 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:09.480 He was self-righteous. 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:13.620 You see, when we fail to know our own hearts, 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:15.480 when we fail to realize our condition 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:17.639 before a holy God, 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:20.879 how easy it is like this guy 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.320 to begin to compare ourselves 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:23.760 with the people around us 00:12:23.760 --> 00:12:26.800 to start to feel superior, 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:29.960 to start to look down on other people, 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:31.060 to hold them in contempt 00:12:31.060 --> 00:12:32.740 and despise them 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:33.920 and begin to even pray. 00:12:34.060 --> 00:12:35.100 If we don't say it out loud, 00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:36.300 we at least think it in our heart, 00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:39.480 God, I thank you that I'm not like these other people. 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:41.980 God, I thank you that you've made me better 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:43.340 than these people. 00:12:44.640 --> 00:12:47.140 You see, his heart is full of praise and thanksgiving, 00:12:47.280 --> 00:12:48.680 but his praise and his thanksgiving, 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:49.640 it's not for God. 00:12:50.160 --> 00:12:50.900 It's for himself. 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:53.319 He is exalting someone, 00:12:53.579 --> 00:12:55.539 but it's not God he's exalting. 00:12:56.139 --> 00:13:00.199 He's praying to congratulate himself before God. 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.480 He's adoring himself, 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:03.159 worshiping himself. 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.059 Oh God, 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:06.519 you are so very fortunate 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:09.240 to have someone like me on your team. 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:12.899 And I can live honorably before you 00:13:12.899 --> 00:13:14.980 quite apart from your mercy. 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:18.559 You know, as good as this guy seems on the outside, 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:19.379 on the inside, 00:13:19.459 --> 00:13:20.479 he's actually suffering 00:13:20.479 --> 00:13:23.019 from a horrible spiritual blindness 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:24.979 and self-righteousness. 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:26.939 And I don't know about you, 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:28.359 but when I read this story, 00:13:28.439 --> 00:13:29.559 I find myself saying, 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:32.419 God, I thank you that I'm not like this Pharisee. 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:34.839 But you know, 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:36.339 the moment you say that, 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.539 you realize what's happened. 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:38.759 Right? 00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:39.939 If you look down on this man, 00:13:40.059 --> 00:13:41.439 Jesus has you in his trap, 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:41.820 and he's like, 00:13:41.900 --> 00:13:42.660 ah, see? 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.780 You have in your heart 00:13:44.780 --> 00:13:46.020 what he has in his heart. 00:13:48.020 --> 00:13:49.160 There's this great verse 00:13:49.160 --> 00:13:49.860 in the Old Testament. 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:52.300 It's 1 Samuel 16, 7. 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:53.780 It says this. 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:54.140 It says, 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.260 the Lord does not look 00:13:56.260 --> 00:13:57.900 at the things people look at. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:00.540 People look at the outward appearance, 00:14:00.680 --> 00:14:03.200 but the Lord looks at the heart. 00:14:04.540 --> 00:14:05.760 And what does Jesus teach 00:14:05.760 --> 00:14:07.200 about what's actually inside 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:08.340 of the human heart? 00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:10.160 He says elsewhere 00:14:10.160 --> 00:14:11.180 in the Gospel of Mark, 00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:12.700 he says this in Mark 7. 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:16.040 He says it's what comes out of a person, 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:18.620 that's the thing that defiles them. 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:21.240 It's from within, 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.440 out of a person's heart, 00:14:22.540 --> 00:14:23.940 that evil thoughts come. 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:27.379 Jesus says it's sexual immorality, 00:14:27.540 --> 00:14:28.080 it's theft, 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:28.740 it's murder, 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:29.620 it's adultery, 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:31.780 but it's also greed 00:14:31.780 --> 00:14:33.379 and malice, 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.019 it's deceit, 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:36.560 it's lewdness, 00:14:36.660 --> 00:14:37.259 it's envy, 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.620 it's slander, 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:40.259 it's arrogance, 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:41.960 it's folly. 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:44.620 Jesus says all these evils 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.679 come from inside, 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:48.480 and that's what defiles a person. 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.620 You see, on the outside, 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:52.659 we can be spiritually serious, 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:54.580 and we can be morally upright, 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:55.439 but on the inside, 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.919 we can have these evil thoughts 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:58.460 that are just pouring out of us 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:00.080 like a river in flood. 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:03.240 And we can be trusting in ourselves 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:03.860 like this man, 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.620 that we're good 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.620 and that we're righteous 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.740 when in fact, 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:07.700 we do not understand 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:09.139 our actual condition 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.440 before God. 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.340 This Pharisee, 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:14.860 he feels no need 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:15.840 to humble himself, 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:18.340 no need to talk about his sins, 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:20.379 no need to ask for mercy. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.000 And so, 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:24.019 Jesus surprisingly says 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.500 that it's this religious man, 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:27.580 this one who has it all together 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:28.259 on the outside, 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:29.779 that he's actually the one 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:32.100 who goes home unjustified 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:32.740 before God. 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:34.259 He goes home unapproved 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:35.980 and unaccepted by God. 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:38.399 This paragon of virtue, 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.759 this pillar of the community, 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:42.080 he goes home, 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:42.899 Jesus says, 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:45.220 not in a right relationship 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:46.399 and a right standing 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.840 with God. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.519 And that means 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:50.960 that he's in an extremely 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:52.759 dangerous position 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:54.879 because Jesus says 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.180 those who exalt themselves 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:57.440 before God today, 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.360 they're going to eventually 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:00.480 be humbled by God 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.659 on the day of judgment. 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:04.379 Many people, 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:04.980 Jesus says, 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:05.920 are going to be shocked 00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:07.000 like this man 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:07.779 on that last day. 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.039 And so, 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:08.659 Jesus says, 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:10.159 I would rather get the shock 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:11.379 out of the way right now 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:13.840 than for you to be shocked then. 00:16:15.060 --> 00:16:15.420 So, 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.960 how should we not pray? 00:16:17.920 --> 00:16:18.139 Well, 00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:18.940 definitely not, 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:19.500 God, 00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:20.600 I thank you that I. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.139 Right? 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.700 What we need 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:24.480 is a justified heart 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:26.560 and a regenerated heart 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.019 that says, 00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:27.680 not God, 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.620 I thank you that I, 00:16:28.800 --> 00:16:29.259 but God, 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:30.139 I thank you that you. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.860 We need a heart 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:34.200 that enumerates 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:34.940 and gives thanks, 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:37.159 not for our own goodness 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.060 and our own righteousness, 00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:39.060 but a heart that says, 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:39.340 God, 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:39.980 I thank you 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:41.500 that you are merciful. 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:43.379 Amen? 00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:44.580 So, 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.840 that's how not to pray. 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:46.399 Okay? 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.779 But then Jesus wants us 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.379 to know not just 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.180 how not to pray, 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:50.879 he wants us to know 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:52.420 how to pray 00:16:52.420 --> 00:16:53.940 and how to pray humbly, 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.800 how to pray humbly. 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:56.200 And so, 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:57.740 look at verse 13. 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.139 It says, 00:16:58.139 --> 00:17:00.100 this tax collector, 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.939 he stood at a distance 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.819 and he would not even 00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:03.879 look up to heaven 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:05.720 but beat his breast 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.019 and said, 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:06.400 God, 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.539 have mercy on me, 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:08.500 a sinner. 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:12.079 This despised traitor, 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:13.859 this irreligious 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:16.920 and completely unethical man, 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.799 he has a sense 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.779 of his own personal 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:21.059 unworthiness before God. 00:17:21.139 --> 00:17:21.879 He knows that he, 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:23.599 he's not fit to stand 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:24.599 in that temple 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:25.480 and even to get 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:27.679 close to the Holy of Holies, 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.419 that place 00:17:28.419 --> 00:17:29.599 where a holy God 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:30.319 dwells in the midst 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:30.899 of his people. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.240 But rather, 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:33.279 he stands at a distance, 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.480 he barely comes 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.439 inside of the door 00:17:35.439 --> 00:17:37.099 and he won't, 00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:38.459 he won't turn his eyes 00:17:38.459 --> 00:17:39.719 up toward God's throne 00:17:39.719 --> 00:17:40.119 in heaven 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.319 but he just looks down 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.740 with a sense 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.619 of his own shame 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:45.240 and his own guilt 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.159 and condemnation. 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:47.740 And you know, 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.039 Jesus, 00:17:48.179 --> 00:17:48.679 when he said, 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.539 he began the Sermon 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:49.839 on the Mount, 00:17:49.899 --> 00:17:50.119 he said, 00:17:50.219 --> 00:17:50.899 blessed are the poor 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.360 in spirit, 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.440 blessed are those 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.820 who are aware 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:56.060 of how spiritually 00:17:56.060 --> 00:17:57.140 and morally bankrupt 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:58.300 they are before God, 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.860 that's this guy. 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.860 He comes to God 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:04.000 empty handed, 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.840 he says, 00:18:05.100 --> 00:18:05.500 God, 00:18:05.580 --> 00:18:06.140 I have nothing 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:06.980 to offer you 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:08.120 but my need. 00:18:08.340 --> 00:18:09.500 All you need 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.000 is need, 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:10.519 right? 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.340 And you know, 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:13.780 how we pray 00:18:13.780 --> 00:18:14.360 with our body 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:15.080 actually reveals 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:16.060 the state of our heart. 00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:17.560 Right? 00:18:17.600 --> 00:18:19.220 So whether we stand 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:19.840 like this guy 00:18:19.840 --> 00:18:20.560 with our head 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.679 bowed down 00:18:21.679 --> 00:18:22.419 and our hands 00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:23.259 just battering 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.500 our polluted hearts 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:26.419 with a sense of grief 00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:27.200 and sorrow 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:28.139 and contrition 00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:30.079 or whether we sit 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:32.839 and we open our hands 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:35.339 empty in a posture 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.299 of need 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.379 and desperate dependence 00:18:37.379 --> 00:18:38.919 or whether we get down 00:18:38.919 --> 00:18:39.899 and on our knees 00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:40.839 and we put our face 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.379 on the ground 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:42.740 and clasp our hands 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.359 in the posture 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:44.460 of a beggar, 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.500 our body language 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:47.480 is a form of prayer 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:49.799 and this guy 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.619 is communicating 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.680 both with his body 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.859 and with his lips 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:54.240 and he's not saying, 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:54.740 God, 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.619 I thank you 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.639 that I am awesome. 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.559 He's saying, 00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:58.919 God, 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.539 I thank you 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.859 that you are merciful 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.460 and so he says, 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:01.839 God, 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:03.579 have mercy on me, 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:04.740 a sinner. 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.839 And what's incredible here 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:07.539 is that in the Greek 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.019 there's actually 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.460 a definite article there. 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.339 So he doesn't say, 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:11.680 God, 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.619 have mercy on me, 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.159 a sinner. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.740 He actually says, 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:14.019 God, 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.919 have mercy on me, 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:16.060 the sinner. 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:19.820 Friends, 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:20.259 are we willing 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.160 to call ourselves 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:22.019 the sinner? 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.440 Are we willing 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:24.920 to say 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:26.360 that we know 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:27.480 that we have nothing 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:29.039 with which we can boast 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.060 before God? 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:30.700 This guy, 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:32.539 he's utterly lacking 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:35.259 in the externalism 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.740 that we find 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.980 in this Pharisee. 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.600 The Pharisee, 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.580 when he looks 00:19:40.580 --> 00:19:41.140 at his life, 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.320 he looks at sins 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:43.639 as if it's some sort 00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:45.819 of discrete individual action 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:47.000 that I either do 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.379 or I don't do 00:19:48.379 --> 00:19:49.339 in the eyes 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:50.079 of other people 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.700 so that I can compare 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:54.019 myself with others 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.720 and I can know 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.559 how I'm doing 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:57.480 relative to your performance. 00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.639 But this guy 00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.700 doesn't talk like that at all. 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.039 He says, 00:20:01.159 --> 00:20:01.299 God, 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.119 have mercy on me, 00:20:02.419 --> 00:20:03.019 the sinner. 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:04.019 Not for this sin 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.659 or for that sin, 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:04.960 but for, 00:20:05.159 --> 00:20:06.339 I'm just the sinner. 00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:09.240 And I know that my spiritual 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.480 and my moral record 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:12.500 is absolutely saturated 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:14.039 with myself 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:14.759 and my sin. 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.059 And I know that 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:19.819 even my most righteous acts 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:21.200 are like filthy rags. 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.279 That even the best things 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:23.940 I've ever done, 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.079 they've actually been 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:27.079 tainted 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:29.240 with my own self-interest. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.039 And so he says, 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:32.460 God, 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.799 have mercy on me, 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:34.579 the sinner. 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.460 And when he says, 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.940 have mercy, 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:39.059 that word actually means, 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.839 God, 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:41.059 be propitiated. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:42.559 God, 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.460 let your wrath 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.419 be removed. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.159 That's what that word 00:20:45.159 --> 00:20:46.159 mercy means. 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:46.819 And here he is, 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.480 he's in the temple 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:49.919 and where he's praying, 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.960 it's not very far 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:52.119 from the Holy of Holies 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:54.039 and inside of the Holy of Holies 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.700 there's the Ark of the Covenant. 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.179 Right? 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.579 And inside the Ark of the Covenant 00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:00.519 there's the Ten Commandments. 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:02.099 And he knows 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:04.019 that he cannot come near God 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:05.399 without being scrutinized 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.440 by the law of God. 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:08.600 But who could pass 00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:10.259 the scrutiny of God's law 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.519 and be acceptable to God? 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:12.960 Right? 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.960 No one can claim 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:15.460 a righteousness of their own. 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.299 And so 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.880 he knows 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:19.759 that over that Ark 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.340 of the Covenant 00:21:20.340 --> 00:21:22.900 there's this slab of gold 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:23.600 and it's called 00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:25.059 the mercy seat. 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:26.740 Right? 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.840 And that's the very same word 00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:29.080 that this tax collector uses, 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:29.980 the mercy seat. 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.240 God, 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.059 have mercy on me. 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.960 And on that mercy seat, 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.059 one time a year 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:36.119 on Yom Kippur, 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:37.879 on the Day of Atonement, 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.059 the high priest, 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:39.819 he would come in 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.559 and he would put 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.500 the blood 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:44.000 of a substitutionary sacrifice 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.839 who died 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:46.379 to pay the penalty 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.159 for the sins 00:21:47.159 --> 00:21:47.859 of the people. 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.960 He would put that blood 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:51.099 on the mercy seat. 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:53.019 And when he would do that, 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.639 the scrutiny of God's law 00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.519 would be satisfied 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.700 for another year. 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:57.899 Right? 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.679 The law's penalty 00:21:58.679 --> 00:21:59.519 would be fulfilled 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.539 until the next 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.480 Yom Kippur. 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:03.860 And so why does Jesus 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.740 put this word 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.920 about the mercy seat 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.900 into the mouth 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.960 of this tax collector? 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:11.079 Because Jesus is describing 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:13.819 what he stepped out of eternity 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:15.620 and into time to do. 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.339 He's describing 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:18.900 why he came all the way 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:20.400 from heaven to earth 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:20.980 for us. 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.640 He's describing 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:23.539 what the Father sent him 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.420 to accomplish 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:26.420 on his cross. 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:27.700 Right? 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.480 That Jesus came 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.819 not to exalt himself 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:31.440 but he came 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.360 to humble himself 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:33.380 and he came 00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:35.660 so that he might be 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.559 the sinner 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:38.440 in our place. 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.839 The only other place 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:42.120 where this exact word, 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.599 this exact mercy seat word 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.319 is used 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.680 in the New Testament 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:48.299 is in Hebrews chapter 2 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:50.160 verse 17 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:51.120 and it says this. 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.240 For this reason 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.160 he, Jesus, 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:56.220 had to be made 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:56.819 like them 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.759 fully human 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.799 in every way 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.680 in order that 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.519 he might become 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.200 a merciful 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.220 and faithful 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.019 high priest 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.799 in service to God 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.579 and that he might 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.720 make atonement, 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:09.019 that he might make mercy 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.099 for the sins 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.000 of the people. 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:13.920 This tax collector 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:14.539 is seeking 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:16.180 the merciful atonement 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:16.640 from God 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.500 that God sent 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.240 Jesus Christ 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.799 to provide 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.039 on his cross. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.160 He seeks 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:23.220 God's mercy 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.920 in order that 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:24.839 he might have 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.680 his sins covered, 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.160 in order that 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.160 the divine wrath 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:28.800 and condemnation 00:23:28.800 --> 00:23:29.340 and judgment 00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:29.740 of God 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.860 might be removed 00:23:30.860 --> 00:23:31.259 from him 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.240 and when we hear 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:34.300 Jesus as we approach 00:23:34.300 --> 00:23:35.540 Palm Sunday 00:23:35.540 --> 00:23:36.160 and Good Friday, 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.340 when we hear Jesus 00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:38.040 crying out 00:23:38.040 --> 00:23:38.720 from his cross, 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:39.300 my God, 00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:39.900 my God, 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.600 why have you forsaken me? 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.620 It's because 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:43.740 he became 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.840 the sinner. 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.500 When we hear Jesus 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.060 crying out 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:48.580 on his cross, 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:49.220 Father, 00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:50.060 forgive them 00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:51.680 for they don't know 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.180 what they're doing. 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.320 He's pleading 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.200 for the mercy 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:54.700 of God 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.599 on our behalf. 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.740 And when at the end 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.599 Jesus cries out, 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.659 it is finished 00:23:59.659 --> 00:24:00.839 what he's talking about, 00:24:00.939 --> 00:24:01.799 the thing that he's 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:02.279 accomplished 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.639 for us 00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:06.220 is the justification 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.339 of the ungodly. 00:24:08.639 --> 00:24:09.599 What he's accomplished 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.039 for us 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.859 is the removal 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.559 of our guilt, 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.220 the removal 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.019 of our shame, 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:13.700 the removal 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:15.619 of our condemnation 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.679 and him having 00:24:16.679 --> 00:24:17.939 robed us 00:24:17.939 --> 00:24:19.159 in the very 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:19.679 righteousness 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:21.039 of Christ. 00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:24.019 Jesus closes 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.640 this parable 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.240 in verse 14. 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:25.519 He says, 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:25.960 I tell you 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.600 that this man 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.420 rather than the other 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.340 went home justified 00:24:28.340 --> 00:24:29.160 before God 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:30.680 for those who 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.460 exalt themselves 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.039 will be humbled 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.539 and those who 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.400 humble themselves 00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:35.120 will be exalted. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.840 What a surprise 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:37.779 and shocking ending. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.039 Here is this 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:40.779 loathed 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.799 and hated 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:43.320 and despised 00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:44.279 tax collector 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:45.900 whom God approves 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.799 and accepts. 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:49.799 Here is the bad man, 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.799 the irreligious man, 00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:53.799 the unethical man, 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:56.039 the negative example, 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.539 the younger son 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.700 in Luke chapter 15 00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:00.099 and he's not just 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.460 forgiven 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.500 but he has a new 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.419 and a right 00:25:02.419 --> 00:25:03.599 and a justified 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.700 standing before God, 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.339 a righteousness 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.220 that's been given 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.740 to him 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:08.859 by God's sheer grace 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:10.440 and on the basis 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.019 of faith. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:12.960 And friends, 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:14.819 Jesus says 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.619 to those of us 00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.460 who know ourselves 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:18.000 to be poor sinners 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:19.420 in need of mercy, 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:20.680 he says, 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:20.900 hey, 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.680 I have really good news 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.380 for you 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:26.220 that like this man, 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.240 however heavy 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.420 your debts are 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.299 that you owe God, 00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.539 however poor 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.319 you are 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:33.059 in his sight 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.700 spiritually 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.380 and morally, 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:35.920 every debt 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.559 can be canceled, 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:38.740 all the ledgers 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.420 can be cleared, 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.819 you no longer 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.539 owe anything, 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:42.960 in fact, 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.900 I've come to make you 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:44.440 rich, 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:45.200 I've come to make you 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.240 spiritually rich 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.220 and morally rich 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.580 and relationally rich, 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.480 I've come to put 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.080 on you 00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:52.180 my perfect righteousness 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.039 so that God, 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.580 when he relates to you, 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.819 he relates to you 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.860 as if you had never 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.440 sinned 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.360 or had never even 00:25:58.360 --> 00:25:59.319 been the sinner. 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.480 It's as if you 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.440 had been as perfectly 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.140 obedient 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:08.539 as Christ was obedient 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:10.039 in your place 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:12.399 and all you need 00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:12.720 to do 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.259 is accept 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.819 this gift 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.159 with a believing 00:26:15.159 --> 00:26:15.599 heart. 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:17.680 So friends, 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.359 I ask you today, 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.559 are you confident? 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.940 Do you have 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.879 that confidence? 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:25.220 Not in your own 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:25.659 righteousness 00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:26.379 that comes from 00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:27.059 the inside, 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.500 but on that 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.559 declared righteousness, 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.000 that positional righteousness 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:32.119 that has come to you 00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:33.500 from the outside 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.859 and has been given 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.879 to you on the basis 00:26:35.879 --> 00:26:37.240 of God's mercy 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.220 and the righteousness 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:38.960 of Christ. 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.240 You see, 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:42.539 those like this tax collector 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.680 who humble themselves 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:45.220 under God's mercy today, 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.660 they will be justified, 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.880 they will be exalted 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:49.360 on the day of judgment 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:50.440 and Jesus even says, 00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:52.079 you can go home today 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.579 just like that tax collector 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.500 went home that day, 00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:56.640 justified before God. 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.819 All you need to say 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.360 is God, 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:01.400 have mercy on me. 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.039 God, 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.839 make atonement for me, 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:05.539 the sinner, 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:07.720 on the basis 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.539 of what Christ 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:10.159 has done for me. 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:14.039 So how not to pray, 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.059 God, 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:15.920 I thank you that I. 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:18.319 How to pray humbly, 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:18.599 God, 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.559 I thank you that you 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.480 are merciful. 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:23.259 And last but not least, 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.500 I want to talk about 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.799 just for a moment 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.920 how to pray faithfully. 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.180 I love this woman 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:30.779 that Jesus presents 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.420 before us 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.139 and many people 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.539 assume 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.299 assume 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.200 that the Bible 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.159 is this 00:27:35.159 --> 00:27:36.440 patriarchal, 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.779 misogynistic book 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:39.920 and then they 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.500 open it. 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:41.700 Right? 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.259 And then they 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.159 begin to read 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:43.960 about Jesus 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.480 and then 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.960 they find Jesus 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.980 holding up women 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.980 in these stories 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:49.359 and in his band 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.899 of disciples 00:27:49.899 --> 00:27:50.899 and in the early church, 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.460 women who are 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.359 these exemplars 00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:52.859 of faith 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.819 for us to imitate. 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.299 He says, 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:55.119 if you want to know 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.359 the posture 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.119 and the attitude 00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:57.539 of prayer, 00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:58.180 look at this 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:59.399 despised tax collector 00:27:59.399 --> 00:28:00.259 but if you want to know 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.700 how to keep praying, 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.799 if you want to know 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.759 how to never give up 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.259 praying, 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.519 look at this 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.579 oppressed widow 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.200 and he says, 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.079 it says in verse 1, 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:10.079 then Jesus told his 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.879 disciples a parable 00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:11.460 to show them 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.640 that they should 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.420 always pray 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.359 and not give up. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.720 And at the end 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.259 in verse 80 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:17.559 he says, 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:17.900 however, 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.740 when the Son of Man 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.039 comes, 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:20.000 will he find faith? 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:21.400 Will he find faith 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:22.079 like this woman 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.859 has faith 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.819 on the earth? 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.299 Most of us, 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:26.539 I think, 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.059 we know 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.720 what it's like 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.299 to pray, 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.919 Father, 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:31.159 may your kingdom come. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.460 You know, 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.379 it's that simple prayer, 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.859 Jesus gave it to us 00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:34.460 in Luke 11, 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.619 we've been talking 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:36.059 about it 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.759 through the whole 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.799 of the season of Lent. 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.440 Father, 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.919 may your kingdom come. 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.139 But, 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.299 a lot of us 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.480 when we don't get answers 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:46.759 to that prayer 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.599 that we're looking for, 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.099 when we 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:49.700 aren't really seeing 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.720 the kingdom of God 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.419 breaking through 00:28:51.419 --> 00:28:52.299 into our lives 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:52.740 and the lives 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.659 of other people, 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.579 the life of this world 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.779 in the way that we want, 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:57.039 how easy it is 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.299 to lose heart, 00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.059 how easy it is 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.819 to get discouraged, 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.700 how easy it is 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.259 to give up. 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.799 Is that just me? 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:05.960 So, 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.019 Jesus gives this, 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:09.000 the story of this woman 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:10.460 who has a feisty faith 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:12.399 and a tenacious hope 00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:13.359 and this is so important 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.700 as we go to Palm Sunday, 00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.399 Good Friday, 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.420 Easter season. 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:18.279 Jesus says this, 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:18.579 he says, 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.379 in a certain town 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.059 there was a judge 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:21.139 who neither feared God 00:29:21.139 --> 00:29:22.339 nor cared what people thought 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:24.000 and there was a widow 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.639 in that town 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:26.180 who kept coming to him 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:26.620 with the plea, 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.600 grant me justice 00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:29.299 against my adversary. 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.980 She represents 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.799 the vulnerable 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:34.160 and the oppressed people 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:36.460 that are all the way down 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:36.940 at the bottom 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.640 of that scale 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.779 of power and privilege 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:41.039 and she has an adversary 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.240 who's done her wrong, 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:44.220 likely cheated her financially 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:46.340 and what she needs 00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:47.200 is a just judge 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:48.759 who can put the wrong right 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:50.860 and give her justice 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.779 but what she gets 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.380 is a judge 00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:54.180 that's the complete opposite 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.820 of God, right? 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:56.659 He doesn't care about God, 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:58.099 he doesn't seem 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:59.179 to want to do right 00:29:59.179 --> 00:29:59.859 by people. 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:00.779 You know, 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.980 I'm tempted to provide 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.960 more contemporary examples 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.700 of this judge 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.399 but I refrain. 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:08.579 But you know 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.299 this kind of person. 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:11.740 In verse four it says, 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.980 for some time he refused 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:14.079 but finally he said to himself, 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.599 even though I don't fear God 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.740 or care what people think, 00:30:17.679 --> 00:30:18.559 yet because this widow 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.659 keeps bothering me, 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.339 I will see that she gets justice 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.539 so that she won't eventually 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:24.119 come and attack me. 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:27.599 This woman's amazing. 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:30.500 She refuses to lie down 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.119 as a helpless 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:32.619 and hopeless victim 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.619 but she keeps coming 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.899 to this corrupt judge 00:30:34.899 --> 00:30:35.980 with her plea. 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.099 He leaves his house 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:37.839 in the morning, 00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.440 she's there 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:39.440 when he gets there at work. 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:42.039 He takes a break for coffee 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:43.099 after his first case, 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.259 there's a note that says, 00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:44.859 hey this woman 00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.740 wants to see you. 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.680 He goes to lunch, 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.180 he gets back, 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.039 there's a voicemail 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.940 from this lady. 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:52.659 He retires to his chambers 00:30:52.659 --> 00:30:53.599 at the end of a long day, 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.559 she's there banging 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.299 on the door 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:57.420 and Jesus says, 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:57.779 friends, 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.339 do you want to know 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:59.019 how to pray? 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:02.159 This powerless woman 00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:05.159 is exercising immense power. 00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:07.559 She keeps coming. 00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:10.139 She's just relentlessly 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:11.159 bothering this judge. 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:12.119 She's persistently 00:31:12.119 --> 00:31:14.319 wearing him out. 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:15.779 In fact, 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.220 in the Greek, 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:16.920 the judge says, 00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:17.940 the only reason 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:19.080 I gave her what she wanted 00:31:19.080 --> 00:31:19.960 is because I thought 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:21.120 she was going to give me 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:21.900 a black eye. 00:31:23.840 --> 00:31:24.740 It's the language 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:26.039 of a boxing match 00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.779 where this judge 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.840 is cornered 00:31:27.840 --> 00:31:29.240 and he's being slugged 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.980 by the least powerful person 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:32.080 in that society 00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:33.799 and Jesus says, 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:34.799 that is how 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:36.620 I want my disciples 00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.600 to pray. 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:40.140 Not to establish 00:31:40.140 --> 00:31:40.720 a righteousness 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.440 of our own, 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.320 but to express 00:31:43.320 --> 00:31:43.960 the righteousness 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:45.039 that has been conferred 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.539 to us 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:47.220 by a most merciful God. 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.259 Jesus says, 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:49.920 you may not have 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:50.740 much power, 00:31:51.320 --> 00:31:52.360 but any of us 00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:52.880 can pray, 00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:53.500 Father, 00:31:54.140 --> 00:31:55.279 may your kingdom come. 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:58.080 And Jesus says, 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:59.120 if a rotten judge 00:31:59.120 --> 00:31:59.900 like this 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.680 can be persuaded 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.900 by someone 00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:02.740 who pesters him 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.500 day and night 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.380 until it happens, 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:07.000 and if a wicked man 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.940 can sometimes 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:09.880 do a good 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:10.740 and a right thing 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:12.059 even from bad motives, 00:32:12.840 --> 00:32:14.299 then how much more 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:14.779 will God? 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:16.779 how much more 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.339 will God 00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:18.399 do right 00:32:18.399 --> 00:32:19.299 by those who pray 00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:21.220 that his kingdom 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.899 of justice, 00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:22.859 his kingdom 00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:23.500 of righteousness 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.160 would come 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:24.720 in the midst 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.940 of all the injustices 00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:27.099 in the kingdoms 00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:28.339 of this world? 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:30.539 You know, 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.700 as Easter approaches, 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.559 we have many, 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.299 many opportunities 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:33.940 to pray. 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.960 We have a prayer meeting 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:36.500 this Wednesday. 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.180 We have a good 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:38.920 Friday prayer vigil. 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.759 We have all kind 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.279 of opportunities 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:40.859 to pray. 00:32:40.859 --> 00:32:42.459 and I just leave you 00:32:42.459 --> 00:32:43.019 with the question, 00:32:44.699 --> 00:32:45.519 what if we prayed 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.419 more like this woman? 00:32:49.139 --> 00:32:50.319 Like this tax collector, 00:32:50.479 --> 00:32:50.819 certainly. 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.740 God have mercy 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:52.299 I'll be a sinner. 00:32:52.399 --> 00:32:52.959 But also, 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.839 like this woman 00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:55.299 where we don't stop. 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.819 Hebrews chapter 4 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.500 says this, 00:32:59.679 --> 00:33:00.619 or Hebrews chapter 2, 00:33:00.699 --> 00:33:01.059 17, 00:33:02.419 --> 00:33:02.779 or sorry, 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:03.479 4, 16. 00:33:04.979 --> 00:33:05.500 It says, 00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:06.139 let us approach 00:33:06.139 --> 00:33:07.219 God's throne of grace 00:33:07.219 --> 00:33:07.899 with confidence 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:10.480 so that we may receive 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:11.860 mercy and find grace 00:33:11.860 --> 00:33:13.200 to help us 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.440 in our time of need. 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.640 Friends, 00:33:16.780 --> 00:33:18.500 we don't have a God 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.100 who's difficult. 00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.519 We don't have a God 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:23.640 who's resistant. 00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:26.240 We don't have a God 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.800 who needs us 00:33:26.800 --> 00:33:27.800 to give him a black eye. 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:30.720 We have a good 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.920 and a loving father. 00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:34.860 We have a just 00:33:34.860 --> 00:33:35.740 and a righteous judge. 00:33:35.820 --> 00:33:36.780 We have a wealthy 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.660 and a generous king. 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:41.539 And he is there 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:44.700 ready to respond eagerly 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:46.960 when his chosen people, 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:48.200 when his beloved people 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:49.740 cry out to him 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.399 day and night 00:33:50.399 --> 00:33:52.099 for his kingdom 00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:53.139 to come breaking through 00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:54.000 into our lives, 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:55.980 for his rule 00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.500 and his reign 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.099 to come breaking 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:58.000 into the lives of others, 00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:59.200 for his justice 00:33:59.200 --> 00:33:59.899 and his righteousness 00:33:59.899 --> 00:34:00.700 to come down 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.899 on earth 00:34:01.899 --> 00:34:02.720 as it is in heaven. 00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:05.339 He's eager for us 00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:05.920 to pray 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:07.080 with the kind of desperation 00:34:07.080 --> 00:34:07.920 for God to do 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:08.920 what only he can do. 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:11.340 And he loves it 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:13.380 when we come to him 00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:14.280 with an unwearied 00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:14.880 perseverance 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:16.500 and a dogged expectation 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:18.480 that when we pray 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.099 for his kingdom 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:19.619 to come, 00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:21.180 it will come. 00:34:23.240 --> 00:34:23.800 And so friends, 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:24.619 will we cry out 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.240 to our father 00:34:25.240 --> 00:34:25.980 day and night 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:27.880 until we see 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:28.260 his kingdom 00:34:28.260 --> 00:34:29.019 breaking through 00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:31.119 in this Easter season? 00:34:31.340 --> 00:34:32.159 I hope that we will. 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:34.539 In the name of the Father, 00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.480 Son, and Holy Spirit, 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:36.179 amen.