WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.040 Well, let me say it's a pleasure to be back here with you again. It's been a while. 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:11.179 And so let's look at these two parables here. 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:15.700 And the two parables that we're going to look at here are interesting for a number of reasons. 00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:20.940 But the first thing that I noticed was that Luke, being led by the Holy Spirit, 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:24.280 leads us in no doubt what they are about. 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:31.720 In fact, the first verse of each parable states exactly why Jesus is telling this story to his listeners. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:34.620 In verse 1 of chapter 18, Luke writes, 00:00:34.820 --> 00:00:40.299 Jesus told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:48.299 Then in verse 9, we see that the second of these parables was told by Jesus for those who trusted in themselves 00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:51.620 that they were righteous and treated others with contempt. 00:00:51.619 --> 00:00:55.519 So there we have the why Jesus is telling the parable. 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:59.000 So let's have a quick look at the context in which he tells them. 00:00:59.899 --> 00:01:05.379 And to look at the context, we need to just move our fingers back a few verses into chapter 17, 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:08.500 which I hope you probably won't even have to turn the page back to see. 00:01:09.579 --> 00:01:14.599 But from verses 20 to 37, Jesus has been talking about his second coming. 00:01:14.599 --> 00:01:22.059 In verse 22, we see that he's been addressing his followers and telling them the fact that the Son of Man is going to come again. 00:01:22.979 --> 00:01:28.319 Then in verse 24, he says he's going to come in a way that is visible to everyone. 00:01:29.039 --> 00:01:34.099 And the whole world will see him like lightning that flashes from one end of the sky to the other. 00:01:34.099 --> 00:01:44.659 Verses 26 to 28, he says that he's also going to come in horrific judgment, as it was in the days of Noah and the days of Lot. 00:01:45.519 --> 00:01:51.819 And in this verses 34 and 35, he says he is going to come in a way that brings separation. 00:01:51.819 --> 00:01:55.560 It's going to split families and marriages, friends, work colleagues. 00:01:56.299 --> 00:01:58.560 One is taken and the other is left. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:04.859 So we come now to verse 1 of chapter 18, and you'll notice that there's no change of scene. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:06.379 There's no change of audience. 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:09.099 There's no change in his train of thought. 00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:12.000 Jesus is still speaking to his disciples. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:21.680 And we're told that he now tells them a parable in the context of the second coming that they are always to pray and not lose heart. 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:27.920 So in the context of the second coming, Jesus tells his followers they should keep praying. 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:29.399 They should remain hopeful. 00:02:30.559 --> 00:02:32.979 And that's the key to understanding the story. 00:02:33.859 --> 00:02:43.039 Jesus knew that in terms of human understanding, this period of time between his ascension and his second coming was going to be a very long time. 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:47.299 In fact, I'm sure it was even seen long to some of those people in the first century. 00:02:47.679 --> 00:02:49.619 First, he wasn't there for a few years. 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:51.159 Then it became decades. 00:02:51.339 --> 00:02:52.379 Then it became centuries. 00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:55.219 And now it has been a couple of millennia. 00:02:55.219 --> 00:03:02.340 And since his ascension, it's never been hard to see that Christ is not honored in the world. 00:03:02.460 --> 00:03:05.879 He's not appreciated or offered his rightful place. 00:03:06.659 --> 00:03:08.479 The word of God is unappreciated. 00:03:08.599 --> 00:03:09.719 It's often under attack. 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:15.039 You only have to pick up the paper or turn on the television to see the work of Satan all around us. 00:03:15.039 --> 00:03:19.060 And Jesus, when he's telling this parable, knew this was going to happen. 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:24.219 And he knew that we would find it hard to remain hopeful and expect it for his coming. 00:03:24.399 --> 00:03:33.699 So what he is saying to these people here and to us is that no matter what the circumstances are, good or bad, hopeful, hopeless, 00:03:33.699 --> 00:03:42.619 regardless of the event, the season or the era, until he comes, we are to pray and not lose heart. 00:03:43.959 --> 00:03:47.839 So let's look at the illustration here of the first parable. 00:03:48.639 --> 00:03:52.939 And as we said, this parable is to illustrate the importance of prayer. 00:03:52.939 --> 00:04:02.180 And he tells this story about a widow who is persistent with a certain wicked judge that she was eventually able to secure justice for herself. 00:04:03.079 --> 00:04:11.360 And notice how the wicked judge is self-described there in verse 4 as someone who has absolutely no reverence for God and no interest in people. 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:18.360 See, there is simply no way to penetrate this man's wickedness, either from the law of God or from the needs of men, 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:22.840 which means he has no interest in the first commandment to love God. 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:27.240 He has no interest in the second commandment to love his neighbor as himself. 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:30.340 He is simply a wicked man. 00:04:30.900 --> 00:04:34.920 And not only is he wicked, but he seems to be absolutely fine with it. 00:04:35.400 --> 00:04:37.139 He says of himself there in verse 4, 00:04:37.660 --> 00:04:40.000 I neither fear God nor respect man. 00:04:40.860 --> 00:04:43.699 This is his own description of himself. 00:04:43.900 --> 00:04:46.300 He is a self-confessed wretch. 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:51.139 Still, the woman will not be pushed away. 00:04:52.040 --> 00:04:53.480 And we meet her in verse 3. 00:04:54.500 --> 00:04:57.280 There was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:00.100 Give me justice against my adversary. 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:04.680 It appears someone has defrauded her, and it's serious. 00:05:05.280 --> 00:05:06.120 And she's powerless. 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:10.819 She has no other way to receive justice other than through this wicked judge. 00:05:11.100 --> 00:05:13.500 And she pesters him relentlessly. 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:19.240 Finally, through her persistence, the wicked judge caves into her demand. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:20.399 In verse 4 he says, 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:24.620 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:27.500 Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:30.100 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, 00:05:30.339 --> 00:05:35.120 I will give her justice so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming. 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:36.639 In other words, she's saying, 00:05:36.699 --> 00:05:38.220 This is killing me. 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:41.840 All day long, every day she won't leave me alone. 00:05:42.180 --> 00:05:44.480 Every morning on the way to work she meets me on the pavement. 00:05:44.820 --> 00:05:47.340 Nagging me all the way to work she meets me at lunchtime. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:52.100 She follows me home in the evening and pleads her case through the open window at my house. 00:05:53.260 --> 00:05:56.980 And although he has no concern for God or man, 00:05:56.980 --> 00:06:01.439 What we see is that he has regard for himself and he wants his life back. 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:05.900 So in order to rid himself of her, he gives her justice. 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:12.540 Now, not only is the meaning of the parable explained to us before Jesus starts the story, 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:16.900 but now he spells out the application to us in verses 6 and 7. 00:06:16.899 --> 00:06:19.139 He says to his disciples, 00:06:19.539 --> 00:06:37.000 In other words, if such a wicked man can offer justice in this situation, 00:06:37.599 --> 00:06:45.319 how much more can be obtained through earnest, persistent prayer from our judge in heaven, 00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:46.299 our Father in heaven? 00:06:46.899 --> 00:06:51.019 And you see, the subject here, as we said, is prayer. 00:06:51.139 --> 00:06:53.219 And this is an important subject for all Christians. 00:06:54.139 --> 00:06:56.259 Prayer is right at the center of our faith. 00:06:56.959 --> 00:07:00.979 It's been said that prayer is the ultimate expression of our faith. 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:05.379 See, our prayer life is the place where true religion starts. 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:07.679 It's the place where our faith flourishes. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:13.159 But your prayer life is also the place where your faith can stagnate. 00:07:13.159 --> 00:07:15.919 It's a place where it can go to seed if you neglect it. 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:19.800 And this is why Jesus exhorts us here always to pray. 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:24.520 It's far easier to start a habit of praying than it is to keep it up. 00:07:25.140 --> 00:07:27.520 I mean, there are many things that might make us start to pray. 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:28.660 Loss of a loved one. 00:07:28.840 --> 00:07:29.240 Fear. 00:07:29.660 --> 00:07:30.140 Unhappiness. 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:31.139 Thankfulness. 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:31.759 Feelings of guilt. 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:32.479 Embarrassment. 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:33.000 Excitement. 00:07:33.159 --> 00:07:33.459 Sorrow. 00:07:34.339 --> 00:07:36.879 So many things can start us off to pray. 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:42.199 But to go on praying and continue to pray, that takes faith. 00:07:43.479 --> 00:07:47.879 There are always times when Satan will strike the believer in our prayer life. 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:50.079 We find we may be growing tired. 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:52.019 We might be restless. 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:55.899 We might even start to think, why on earth am I praying? 00:07:55.959 --> 00:07:58.339 My prayers seem to be so seldom answered anyway. 00:07:59.659 --> 00:08:02.819 Well, see, these situations, these thoughts are attacks from Satan. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:07.420 And when they happen, we must keep at the very forefront of our minds this parable. 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:09.680 We must remember the Lord's words here. 00:08:10.020 --> 00:08:12.180 Always to pray and not lose heart. 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:19.140 I mean, do you ever feel that hidden desire to shorten your prayers or maybe to put them off until later? 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:23.000 I mean, maybe to even not pray at all sometimes. 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:29.520 Or are you able to openly admit there are times when you lack a prayer life? 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:34.779 Well, see, we're supposed to remember at those times that these are attacks from Satan. 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:40.279 Satan is trying to sap your faith and undermine your spiritual lifeline to God. 00:08:40.439 --> 00:08:44.539 And believe me, for a Christian, prayer is a spiritual lifeline. 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:50.220 And at these times, Satan is trying to attack the very citadel of your soul. 00:08:51.459 --> 00:08:57.639 So we must always remember that Satan's ultimate goal is to see you cast into hell. 00:08:59.439 --> 00:09:02.899 Now, verse 7 shows us something about the Lord's people. 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:06.279 His followers that Jesus refers to here as the elect. 00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:13.240 The doctrine of election tells us that God chose his people. 00:09:13.439 --> 00:09:18.120 He chose the elect out of his own pleasure without reference to men or women. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:20.439 Salvation is all about God. 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:23.000 It's about God's sovereignty and his grace. 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:27.439 But what are the marks of the people that he has chosen? 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:32.000 I mean, how might a man or woman know that they are part of God's elect? 00:09:33.300 --> 00:09:40.640 Well, in this passage, the Lord Jesus shows us that at least one of the marks of the elect is that they are a praying people. 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:50.200 They are a praying people who pray without losing heart, who persevere in faith that God will fulfill his promise to return. 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:55.300 And note how Jesus even asks the question here in verse 7. 00:09:56.340 --> 00:09:58.860 Will not God give justice to his elect? 00:09:59.520 --> 00:10:01.800 Those who cry out to him day and night? 00:10:02.780 --> 00:10:05.040 And then he answers it for us in verse 8. 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:06.980 He says, I tell you, he will. 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:13.360 Now, it may take some time before the event of the second coming happens. 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:19.580 But when it happens, it's going to take place speedily, as it says there in verse 8. 00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:25.200 In fact, we're told in 1 Corinthians that it's going to take place in the twinkling of an eye. 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:29.820 We're also told that the Lord's judgment is going to be swift and mighty. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:36.240 You see, the Lord will do what he has promised to do because his word is at stake and he is faithful always to his word. 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:38.580 And he's always faithful to his people. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:46.460 And if we, as his people, are able to understand the fate of those who do not believe on the day that he returns, 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:51.980 and beside that we're able to understand what he is saving us from, 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:57.879 then that should always bring to mind a first reason that we can always pray. 00:10:58.419 --> 00:11:00.299 We can give thanks for our salvation. 00:11:01.060 --> 00:11:05.259 We should thank him for our salvation over and over again and often. 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:08.659 Because remember, he chose us, not us, him. 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:14.139 So, note these words here of the Lord Jesus. 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:19.840 And let's make a note to resist the temptations to shortchange our prayer life. 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:26.319 Let's resolve to obey him and pray always with persistence and with patience. 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:32.900 Now, having used the parable of the widow to show them how they should pray, 00:11:33.800 --> 00:11:36.260 Jesus asked them a question there at the end of verse 8. 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:40.200 When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:45.560 In other words, Jesus is asking, will he actually find when he does return? 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:50.040 Will he find his people praying with faith and persistence? 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:53.959 Will there be those who have stayed praying? 00:11:54.079 --> 00:11:58.740 Or will it be like the days of Noah, the days of Lot, when there were only just a handful? 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:04.799 You see, for those who believe, we have been given a fantastic promise. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:10.539 We've also been told how the whole of history is actually going to end someday. 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:16.179 But still, there will be times when the world around us seems to be hopeless. 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:21.039 Times when Satan's reign just seems absolutely rampant. 00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:23.679 And at those times, we might actually ask, 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:26.899 Why? Why is he waiting to return? 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:30.079 Why does he come now and sort all of this out? 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:36.539 Well, the Bible tells us that he waits in part so that men and women might come to repentance. 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:42.679 You see, he does it in part because if he brought justice today or tonight, 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:47.699 it would certainly answer the deepest questions of all our hearts. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:54.579 But it would also remove every possibility that your child or your wife or your friend or your father 00:12:54.579 --> 00:12:58.259 would ever have the opportunity to be saved. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:01.759 You see, it would be the end of opportunity, it would be the end of the world. 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:05.519 It would mean the books had finally been opened and settled. 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:09.819 But it also means the door of salvation would also be closed. 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:15.860 So for now, God is patiently waiting for sons and daughters to stop their rebellion. 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:18.559 He's waiting for wives to come to him. 00:13:19.459 --> 00:13:25.899 And he's waiting for people to lay down their pride and their arrogance and trust in the Lord Jesus. 00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:29.819 So what he's saying to his followers here is, 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:33.199 The time before my return is going to be hard. 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:35.919 And it's going to seem like a very long time. 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:42.819 So I'm going to tell you this story so that you will not give up and you will continue to pray. 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:49.000 And all this talk about the kingdom raises a very basic question. 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:52.580 How does one get into the kingdom? 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:54.899 A question for all of us. 00:13:55.919 --> 00:14:00.100 How is it that God will let me into his eternal kingdom? 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:05.200 Well, here in this parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:10.399 Jesus answers this ultimate question with amazing simplicity. 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:18.879 He says in verse 9 that Jesus told this parable to those who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on others. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:25.779 He tells it because he's surrounded by people who are absolutely convinced that they're fine. 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:29.799 Absolutely certain that their religious behavior and their religious practices 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:33.919 have set them on a higher plane and they have no sense of need. 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:42.219 And what makes it so simple to understand is that Jesus explains to us here that all religions fall into one of two categories. 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:43.819 Category 1. 00:14:44.479 --> 00:14:50.719 Your religion says that you, through your own efforts, are able to make yourself right before God. 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:52.860 Category 2. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:59.419 Your religion tells you that you cannot, by your own efforts, make yourself right before God. 00:14:59.419 --> 00:15:07.319 In other words, you believe that you're able to achieve the righteousness that God requires on your own merit, or you're not. 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:12.699 And if the parable of the persistent widow teaches us to be persistent in our prayer, 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:18.719 then the parable here of the Pharisee and the tax collector shows us the spirit in which we should pray. 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:23.099 Now, we're all naturally self-righteous. 00:15:23.579 --> 00:15:25.480 I don't think that will come to a surprise to anyone. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:32.759 And it expresses itself here in the Pharisee's feeling of moral superiority with respect to other people. 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:36.960 And moral superiority is not a sin that is just limited to unbelievers. 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:41.960 I mean, any time we believe that we are holding the moral high ground, 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:48.460 whether it be politics or theology or something as temporal as fashion, even, for example, 00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:53.460 we are exercising our moral self-righteousness. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:16:00.200 A good example is when we look around and we see society openly committing or encouraging flagrant sins 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:03.780 like sexual immorality or avarice or abortion, 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:07.700 or even in those cases when we can look down on people, 00:16:07.780 --> 00:16:12.400 we can actually say, we don't commit those specific, obvious flagrant sins they're committing. 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:17.939 Those who seem to have no control over themselves when it comes to those issues. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:24.639 Even at those times, we sort of secretly flatter ourselves that we're not as bad as others. 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:30.199 And therefore, we feel like we may have something to recommend us into the favor of God. 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:34.480 However, we should never forget, the Bible does tell us that, 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:37.120 for we all stumble in many ways. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:44.580 Ecclesiastes says, surely there is not one righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:47.539 So I think there is a warning here. 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:54.560 Do not assess your spiritual life by comparing it to others. 00:16:55.940 --> 00:17:00.200 I mean, even though this type of assessment is strong amongst us, 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:05.519 it's hard to recognize and it's one of the great obstacles that stand between us and God. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:10.139 So you see, we have these two men who come to the temple to pray. 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:13.400 One was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:19.480 Now, immediately we have a problem because when we think Pharisee, we think of a bad man, don't we? 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:24.180 However, in the minds of all the listeners there, the Pharisee was the church man. 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:25.680 He was the religious guy. 00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:31.079 A Pharisee to these listeners was scrupulous when he came to the law of God. 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:38.460 And so when he says that he tithes, in verse 12, that means he is generous to the poor. 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:44.099 And when he says, I don't commit adultery, in verse 11, it means he is a faithful husband. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:50.519 So you see, the Pharisee is offering his evidence that he is actually a good man. 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:54.539 And to the Pharisee, in his prayer there in verse 11, he says, 00:17:54.680 --> 00:18:01.559 God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:05.160 or even like this tax selector standing next to me. 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:07.759 I fast twice a week. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:10.039 I give tithes of all that I get. 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:13.480 But there's one obvious problem with this prayer. 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:20.819 I mean, after one says, God, I thank you, should not the things that follow be about the things that God has done for him. 00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:26.240 However, after he says, God, I thank you, this is the last we hear about God. 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:35.720 His prayer contains no sense of sin or need, no confession, no acknowledging of his guilt, or even his own helplessness. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:39.140 There's no crying out for mercy or grace. 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:42.980 And notice how he says there in verses 11 and 12, 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:47.980 I thank, I am not, I fast, I give, I get. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:51.660 It's simply a recital of self-worship. 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:57.900 And the Lord Jesus is showing us here that under the shroud of it being about God, 00:18:58.680 --> 00:19:03.000 this man's prayer is actually about adoration of self. 00:19:03.840 --> 00:19:07.820 You see, he's expressing not only his sort of self-proclaimed goodness, 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:12.519 but also view that in some way, maybe his goodness should be acknowledged. 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:16.700 And we come to the second man, the tax collector. 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:20.059 He was a crook, a scoundrel, he was a traitor to his people. 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:26.839 In the culture at the time, you were not required to keep any promise that you made to a thief, a murderer, or a tax collector. 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:32.299 And if you were to ever watch one of these World War II movies, I'm sure you've seen them, 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:35.119 where the mayor of a little town in Holland or France, 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:38.739 it kind of welcomes the Nazis when they come as a result. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:43.419 And all during the war, he's living a great life and he's socializing and making lots of money. 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:47.279 Well, that is who this man is, the tax collector. 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:48.799 He was a friend of the enemy. 00:19:49.479 --> 00:19:54.639 He was a traitor who was enriching himself on the occupation of the Romans being in their country. 00:19:54.640 --> 00:20:00.000 So what you have in these two men are the extremes of society. 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:06.820 One represents the ultimate religious man, and the other represents the height of sin and wickedness. 00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:14.280 And then Jesus pronounces that the good man, the Pharisee in the story, is lost. 00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:18.640 And the bad man, the traitor, is saved. 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:26.759 What Jesus is saying to us here is he's trying to show us that if you try to be your own master, your own savior, 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:30.880 then what you're actually doing is rejecting God as your savior. 00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:36.200 I mean, how can God be the master of your life if you're holding on to that position yourself? 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:41.400 Starting with the fall of Adam and the Garden of Eden when Satan said to Eve, 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:46.660 For God knows that when you eat it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God. 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:53.560 Ever since that moment, we've all seen men and women trying to be their own masters, their own gods. 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:58.040 And although these two men seem to be polar opposites, 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:01.300 they are both in exactly the same place. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:05.980 You see, there are two ways that you can attempt to be your own savior. 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:11.440 Either by keeping all of God's laws so that you can feel like you've earned something and you may be owed, 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:16.920 or by simply breaking all of God's laws and rejecting him outright like the tax collector. 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:24.220 Two seemingly opposite approaches, but both get you to exactly the same place. 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:30.860 Jesus is not saying that it's okay to be a tax collector and that it's not okay to be a religious man. 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:37.660 No, what Jesus is saying is that both good people and bad people in their fallen natural state 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:41.160 are being good and bad for exactly the same reason. 00:21:41.560 --> 00:21:46.360 To control their own life, to be their own master, to be their own savior. 00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:49.720 And notice here how the Pharisee says, 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:52.460 I am not like other men. 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:56.160 I am not an extortioner or adulterer. 00:21:57.080 --> 00:22:01.140 You see, I can think of all kinds of things that I am not or that I don't do. 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:04.700 But all that does is just put up a smoke screen. 00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:08.060 It sort of hides all the sins that I have done. 00:22:08.820 --> 00:22:10.980 He says, I tithe, I fast. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:16.620 It's the Pharisee himself here who is now deciding what it is to worship God. 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:18.860 He says, I tithe of everything. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:24.200 The Bible only requires that he actually tithe 10% of certain things. 00:22:25.120 --> 00:22:27.220 He says, I fast twice a week. 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:31.100 The Bible only requires him to fast once a year at Yom Kippur. 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:34.440 So he's picking out the things that he finds easy to do, 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.960 that he can do on his own. 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:37.940 And he just doubles up on them. 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:43.660 The Pharisee is now apparently the one who is deciding what it is to worship and honor God. 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:47.500 It's no longer God who is ordering the worship for the Pharisee. 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:51.700 And notice how he says, he never says this in his prayer. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.660 He never says something like, 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:55.079 Thank you, Lord, that I am becoming more loving. 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:59.119 Thank you, Lord, that you are making me more humble and patient. 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:03.339 Or thank you, Lord, that even living in the hardship of this life, 00:23:03.419 --> 00:23:06.159 I am finding joy through my relationship with you. 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.699 There's nothing ever like that. 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:10.559 You see, the problem for the Pharisee is that 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:14.339 he is not able to see his spiritual state. 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:16.779 He compares himself with his neighbors, 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:20.879 and he thinks his goal is to outdo his neighbor. 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:26.340 I think the underlying message here is that 00:23:26.340 --> 00:23:31.640 religious people can be in danger of never seeing their situation. 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:36.220 And never is the heart of a man or woman in more danger 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:40.660 than when they are unable to see their true spiritual condition. 00:23:42.040 --> 00:23:44.140 I mean, I think that runs throughout the Bible, doesn't it? 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:47.560 Never is the heart of a man or woman in more danger 00:23:47.560 --> 00:23:52.780 than when they are unable to see their own sinful condition. 00:23:55.020 --> 00:23:56.380 You know, at the start of the parable, 00:23:57.340 --> 00:24:00.040 both the tax-select and the Pharisee are polar opposites 00:24:00.040 --> 00:24:02.220 in terms of how their lives look to other people. 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:06.779 However, it was not what they were in the eyes of men that matters, 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:08.819 but what they are in the eyes of God. 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.700 Both men were lost. 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:15.319 Both men were living lives that are unrighteous in the sight of God. 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:19.759 But the Pharisee is not aware that he's doing it. 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:23.100 And the danger is that even if you told him, 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:26.079 he most likely would not believe you. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:29.599 And never is a man or woman in more danger 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:33.000 than when they cannot see their own spiritual situation. 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:37.319 So now look at the prayer of the tax collector in verse 13, 00:24:37.439 --> 00:24:38.419 which the Lord commands. 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:41.740 But the tax collector, standing far off, 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:45.439 would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.819 but he beat his breast saying, 00:24:47.199 --> 00:24:50.179 God, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:54.299 Now here is the answer to the big question. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:59.059 How does one get into the eternal kingdom of God? 00:24:59.419 --> 00:25:02.000 How is one reconciled with God? 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.519 Like the tax collector, 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:07.339 you accept your true state of sinfulness 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:09.859 and you look to God and you ask for mercy. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.819 Now I think it's important to note here that 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:15.579 our translation there says in verse 13, 00:25:15.919 --> 00:25:18.059 God, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:20.539 It's actually not quite correct. 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:23.279 In the original, Luke uses the definite article, 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:23.940 and it reads, 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:26.799 God, be merciful to me, the sinner. 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:29.279 And you see, I think that's important 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.759 because by saying the sinner, 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:33.539 he's not comparing himself to anyone else. 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:37.139 You see, what use is it to be more moral 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:39.259 than other men and women when in reality, 00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:42.180 all men and women are vile and imperfect 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.319 in the sight of God? 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:48.099 It is, in all of our self-examination, 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:52.200 we must not look at ourselves in comparison with others. 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:54.059 We must only look at ourselves 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:57.679 in comparison to the requirements that God makes. 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.700 Romans 3 says that, 00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:02.859 for we have already charged that all men are under sin. 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:05.639 None is righteous, no, not one. 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:07.860 No one does good, not even one. 00:26:09.300 --> 00:26:12.980 So, if we examine our sin 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:14.960 in relation to other people's sin, 00:26:16.020 --> 00:26:19.259 there's always somebody that we're going to be able to find 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.880 who has done more sin than us. 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.720 And if that's the case, 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:25.560 then we are only ever a sinner. 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:28.919 We never see ourselves as the sinner. 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:31.539 And you see, this is the great obstacle 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:33.159 for the Pharisee in the story. 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:37.240 But the tax collector is looking at himself. 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:39.579 He's looking at his sin in a way that 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:40.859 you must see yourself 00:26:40.859 --> 00:26:43.240 if you want to resolve your situation with God. 00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:46.200 If you want to know how to spend eternity 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:48.039 in his kingdom with him. 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:51.200 You see, this tax collector comes to the temple 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:53.319 and he simply says, 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:56.240 I am a spiritual wreck. 00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:59.159 All I know is that I'm lost. 00:26:59.939 --> 00:27:01.759 And whatever anybody else is saying 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.740 or is not saying, 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:05.220 it has no effect on the fact 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:08.359 that my soul is totally bankrupt. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.939 And so he says, 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:13.819 God, be merciful to me, the sinner. 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.919 And as he uses that word merciful, 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:19.639 the tax collector is using a word that means 00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:22.220 atone for my sins. 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:24.180 In the original language, 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.880 it's the word hilasterian. 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:29.059 The word hilasterian is also used 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:30.380 in Hebrews 2 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:33.140 when the writer speaking of Jesus writes, 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.640 For this reason, 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:38.700 Jesus became a merciful and faithful high priest 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:40.100 in the service to God 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:42.059 that he might make atonement, 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:44.500 that he might make hilasterian 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:46.579 for the sins of the people. 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:49.759 You see, the tax collector knows 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:53.119 that he cannot deal with his problem himself. 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:56.079 And he knows that if there is nothing 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:58.419 outside of his own power, 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.960 outside his own self, 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:01.079 to deal with this problem, 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:04.039 then he has no chance whatsoever 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:06.839 of knowing God or spending eternity with him. 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:09.279 Notice he's not asking God 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.659 to compare him to others 00:28:10.659 --> 00:28:11.980 or to lower his standards. 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:13.259 He's just simply saying, 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:16.519 I need atonement for my sins. 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.860 Here we have two men, 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.559 two prayers, 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.460 two eternities. 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.360 Have you ever asked God 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:25.299 to pardon you 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.799 the way the tax man did? 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.500 Have you ever asked God 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.180 to pardon you 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:30.519 through the atoning sacrifice 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.620 of the Lord Jesus 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:33.140 on the cross? 00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:35.880 I mean, maybe you are 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:37.060 seeking a righteousness 00:28:37.060 --> 00:28:38.400 that's built on your own 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:39.640 religious reputation 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:41.820 or on your own moral achievement 00:28:41.820 --> 00:28:44.220 or maybe you're hoping 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.800 that God will simply find you 00:28:45.800 --> 00:28:47.500 righteous enough. 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:49.560 In other words, 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:50.380 the real question is, 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.560 what is it that you are 00:28:51.560 --> 00:28:54.300 staking your eternity on? 00:28:56.060 --> 00:28:57.860 But note how the parable ends here 00:28:57.860 --> 00:29:00.700 with Jesus saying in verse 14 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.680 that the tax collector 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:03.040 went down to his house 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.680 justified. 00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:05.059 And then he adds, 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:07.339 for the one who humbles himself 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.960 will be exalted. 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.539 The tax collector 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.879 was righteous 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:13.879 in the eyes of God. 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.559 He was acquitted. 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:16.399 He was set free 00:29:16.399 --> 00:29:17.940 from the bondage of sin 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.980 and accepted 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:20.319 to spend eternity 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.960 with God. 00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:24.059 And you see, 00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:24.980 it was the tax collector, 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.099 not the Pharisee, 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:28.000 who accepted his sin 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.680 outright. 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.539 He recognized 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.399 this helplessness 00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:32.000 to do anything 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.859 about it himself. 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.619 He just dropped 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:35.839 his sword of rebellion 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:37.579 and he humbled himself 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:38.359 to the mercy 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.139 and the love 00:29:39.139 --> 00:29:39.960 of the Lord Jesus. 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.379 The tax collector 00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:43.480 was able to find 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:45.039 a humility 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:45.519 that, 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.480 for which he can 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.279 honestly say, 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:49.480 there is nothing 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.619 in me to respect. 00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:52.579 Deep down 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:54.740 in my heart of hearts, 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:56.500 I am wretched. 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:58.819 I have nothing else 00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.579 that I can say. 00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:02.079 You know, 00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:03.240 we sing a song 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:04.140 quite often 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:05.059 that I love a lot 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.359 actually. 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.859 In America, 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.400 we call it 00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:08.420 It Is Well With My Soul. 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.160 I think over here 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:09.740 you call it 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.359 When Peace Like a River. 00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:13.859 Have you ever thought 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.299 about that? 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.559 when we sing 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.619 that verse, 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.460 My sin, 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.159 O the bliss, 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:20.639 such glorious thought, 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.359 my sin, 00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.039 not in part 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:22.700 but in whole, 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:25.200 is nailed to the cross 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:27.319 and I bear it no more. 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.440 Praise the Lord, 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.240 O my soul. 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.259 Have you ever thought 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.120 about what we're saying 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:33.960 when we sing that? 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:36.140 We're saying that 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:37.620 the gospel 00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:40.360 is all outside of us. 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:41.860 It has nothing to do 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.580 with our feelings. 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.880 It has everything to do 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:46.100 with what has been done 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:47.160 for us. 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:49.880 It's about the fact 00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:51.000 that Jesus became 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:52.160 the sinner. 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:54.220 He became the ultimate sinner 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:56.039 and He died on the cross 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:57.000 for us. 00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.400 And as He hung there, 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:01.660 He was looking at you 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.720 and He was looking at me. 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.360 He knew my name. 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.660 He knew your name. 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.339 He knew my sins. 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:08.519 He knew your sins. 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.680 And still, 00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:12.019 He loved us so much 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.880 that He made 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:15.640 atonement for us. 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.259 Now, we noted earlier 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.180 that in part 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:20.920 the second coming 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.600 of the Lord Jesus 00:31:21.600 --> 00:31:23.319 is being held back 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.200 so that men and women 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:25.360 still might have time 00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:26.319 to come to Christ 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:27.680 to receive the saving mercy. 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.259 Is it possible 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:30.920 if there's someone 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:32.420 sitting here today 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:34.100 who is one of those 00:31:34.100 --> 00:31:34.799 he's waiting on? 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:38.100 Maybe this is your time 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:40.460 to simply stop the rebellion, 00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:41.700 to drop your sword, 00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:43.860 to lose your pride 00:31:43.860 --> 00:31:45.460 and your self-righteousness 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.180 and pray 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:47.960 as the tax man did. 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:48.580 Lord Jesus, 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.460 I need you. 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.819 I am helpless without you. 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.559 Forgive me. 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.519 Show me mercy. 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.099 Save me. 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.779 Live in me. 00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:57.099 Come take me as your own. 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.899 Because that 00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:02.799 is how you will find yourself 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.899 reconciled to God. 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:06.079 So let me pray for us. 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.519