Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/15/25 by Pastor Steve Shields.
In this parable found in Luke 18, there are two different kinds of people. The Pharisee who is the epitome of what we understand as righteousness, and the tax collector who is the epitome of wickedness.
These two different kind of people had two very different kinds of prayers. The arrogant prayer was made by the pharisee who stood and was praying to himself. The broken prayer was given by the tax collector, who realized he was not alright.
There were two different outcomes. One is humbled and one is exalted. One is not justified and one is justified.
Jesus tells this parable to force us to see our need for grace. Coming to God clothed in our own righteousness is obscene. Jesus invites us to come to Him in our brokenness.
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