Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank You, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give You a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
I told you at the end of the last Gem that I would let the pot simmer. I still am. I am not planning to discuss Gem 1109 just yet. We will put it all together at the right time. Time now for you to work out what you think about yesterday’s pericope and following that work out your thoughts on today’s unit and determine how they go together. Or should I say, if they go together. Look for the links that bind them together and then look for the deeper structure or meaning that you find within them.
The first thing to do is to look at this pericope or unit, Luke 18:9-14, and determine its meaning. Is there anything in it that requires closer inspection? Anything that puzzles you or requires further investigation. Knowing where to dig is the key to finding the solution. Do you see any links in this segment that connect elsewhere in Luke?
This story is unusual in that it doesn’t have a comparison of any sort. Most of Jesus’ parables involve a comparison or a contrast of one kind or another. Some experts see no connection whatsoever between the parable before this (The Unjust Judge) nor the narrative account which follows it. But we have heard that before, haven’t we? Don’t let that put you off making your own mind up. Others, however, see the theme of prayer mentioned in both .They feel it’s prayer that holds the two segments together. So in a sense it is like Luke 11:1-13. What do you think? Do you think these two pericopes (Luke 18:1-18 and Luke 18:9-14) are about prayer?
First step is to work out what you think before you consult the “experts”. The time to consult the commentaries and the experts is after you have done your own work, not before. If you look at what others think first, you are not in a position to make up your mind about what you think. You are easily swayed by every wind of doctrine. Look at the detail yourself first and then you can make up your own mind. Following which you are able to weigh what the “experts” say in an informed way. I can give you many examples where the so-called-experts come up with rubbish from their own thoughts.
Enough said for the moment. I will leave you another day to look at this next segment on your own. We will analyze this segment and then we will look at how they go together. Have fun. I love it that many of you have contacted me and told me that many of my comments and suggestions or pointers help you to get so much more out of the passage. I look forward to the day when you are skilled in knowing where to look for yourself and what to do to find out what you need. Then my job is done. I can sit back and let you write Gems for me.
I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.
Albert Einstein
Know where to find the information and how to use it – That’s the secret of success.
Albert Einstein
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
Anon
The greatest compliment any young person can make is to ask you a question.
Al Mohler
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
Jimmy Johnson
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
Aristotle