2 men praying

Jesus tells the story of two men at the temple praying in Luke 18:9-14. One of the men was a Pharisee and one was a tax collector.

Did the Pharisee have a job or was he only known as a Pharisee? And what about the tax collector? He was obviously labeled by his job. Many times in life, we are known by others by what we do or possibly by what we have done.

The Pharisee began to pray. He stood as he prayed and prayed about himself. Jesus said that the Pharisee prayed,"God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get."

We are all sinners so as the Pharisee compared himself to others, he was basically saying to God, I am sinner but I think I am above these other sinners. Fasting and tithing are great things in the spiritual life but why would the Pharisee need to tell God this? Doesn't God already know if the Pharisee fasts and tithes?

The tax collector was also praying but as he prayed he stood at a distance. He wouldn't look up to heaven as he prayed but instead took physical pain out on his chest as he beat his breast. He asked God to have mercy on his soul because he was a sinner.

Jesus said that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified.

Jesus finishes the story with a declaration: For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

This is the key to finding life before God, we need to come with a humble heart and allow God to fill us with his joy and encouragement. When we need Jesus in our lives, he is able to give us life. When we feel the need isn't there, death and destruction is imminent.