Luke 18:9-14 – “And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  11 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  12’I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’  13 “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’  14 “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  NASB

Yes, this is a bit of a takeoff on Jeff Foxworthy’s “You Might Be a Redneck.”   As I read this passage, I thought about being a Pharisee.  It has been my unfortunate experience to have been one and to have known many in my years of Christian service.  Sadly, many do not even realize that they are one and, if confronted, are highly offended.

Consider this parable with me.  Here, Jesus called to light anyone who trusted in themselves regarding their righteousness while viewing others in contempt.  Jesus spent most of His ministry calling attention to His otherness regarding the Pharisees.  He wanted everyone then and now to understand that what He came to offer was the opposite of what they presented.  They tried to “earn it,” and Jesus came to bring salvation as a “gift of grace.”

Consider the two men in the parable. 

• The Pharisee.

He compared himself to others.  He had his checklist of all the things he was not and how much better he was than those he named.  He commended himself for his service, giving, fasting, and praying.  He viewed himself as the pious person God must surely love more than others because of all he did and did not do. 

• The Tax Collector.

He was of an occupation highly despised by the Pharisees.  This man exhibited incredible humility as he stood before the altar.  He could not lift his eyes but beat his chest and whispered, “God, be merciful to me, the or a sinner!”  He knew that in himself, there was no good thing. 

He knew he could not earn God’s favor in his efforts.  He knew he was not one inch closer to God than anyone else in his works, service, and religious activities.  He sought “mercy” without thinking he had “earned” anything.

You Might Be a Pharisee if…

• You compare yourself to others.
• You look down on others who either do not do what you do or do things that you would not do. 
• You think your religious activities earn you brownie points with God above other people, you might be a Pharisee.

Jesus’ clear message was that the tax collector who cried out for mercy, not the Pharisee who boasted in his own piousness, went away “justified.”  Read the last part of verse 14 – “…for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  It is all by grace!  You will work once you receive His grace, but your works do not earn you a place in heaven. It is His work on the Cross that purchased that for you!

Therefore, the next time you see someone and have even a remote thought that they might be lesser than you because of what they are doing or not doing, ask yourself, ‘Am I a Pharisee?”  Shake off those chains of religious bondage and walk free in Jesus.

Blessings as you go through your day!