TWO MEN PRAYING IN THE TEMPLE

The Ultimate Contrast

Luke 18:9–10 NKJV

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

Tax Collectors vs Phraisees

* Tax Collectors: lowest level in the Jewish social scale. Audience would have felt disgust and betrayal. They never went to the temple. They never went to the temple because they were never considered good enough to enter it.

* Pharisees: was the highest Jewish ideal of piety at that time. They new all the rules (church manual, OT). Kept them. Yet opposes Jesus.

Temple vs Synogugue

* Synogugue is like the church as it is today.

* Temple: What happens in the templ symbolizes the presence of God!

Sacrifices were offered here.

They came here because Jesus has a point to make.

Usualy the Tax Collectors to go here.

I. Prayer of the Phrasee

Luke 18:11–12 NKJV

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’

Prayer: Jesus was saying that he wasn’t praying to God, but to himself.

Fasting: Old Testament specify one fast in a week. He says, he fasts twice a week.

Tithe: He paid tithe on gardent of produce. Meaning he paid tithe on the extra.

Extortionioners/Swindlers: Uses deception to get money.

Pharisee: In the presence of. God, he has a good eye on himself, a bad eye on his neighbor, and no eye on God.

What kind of emotion you have when you are in the presence of God?

What kind of biblical story that you can identify with the presence of God?

II. Tax Collector

Luke 18:13–14 NKJV

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

He experienced God’s presence. HIS EYES WERE ON GOD!

God’s presence was manifested

The. sacrficial lambed was offered.

Beat his breast.

There is only two places in the Bible where you see this taking place. Here and at the cross.

Luke 23:44–48 NKJV

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.

A sign of severe and onl resrved form women.

This was practiced in Middle Eastern men.

Was reenacted in the killing of Hussein as a gesture of extreme sorrow.

Steps to Christ 64 - Spirit of God arouses you.

The sacrificial lamb was offered. And the TAX COLLECTOR FELT HIS OWN SINFULNESS.

Merciful

“Merciful” - Mercy is onlny given to someone who does not deserve it.

a. Job

Job 42:5–6 (NKJV)

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,

But now my eye sees You.

Therefore I abhor myself,

And repent in dust and ashes.”

Job was humbled and repented.

b. Isaiah

Isaiah 6:5 (NKJV)

So I said:

“Woe is me, for I am undone!

Because I am a man of unclean lips,

And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;

For my eyes have seen the King,

The Lord of hosts.”

Isaiah is ruined.

c. Peter

Luke 5:8–9 NKJV

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;

Peter felt at the feet of Jesus and acknowledge his unworthiness.

d. Paul

1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

He says I am the worse. He felt God’s presence in his life.

Conclusion