The Pharisee and the tax collector

A humble person recognises the sin in their life and turns to Jesus for forgiveness. A proud and self-righteous person on the other hand is blind to their sins and can't see the need to repent. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collection, the Pharisee is a picture of pride that Jesus warns us about. Even though the Pharisee had good works, disciplined behaviour and kept the law on the outside, on the inside he was blind to the corruption of his heart - self-worship, hypocrisy and a lack of love for others. In contrast, the tax collector who was considered to be one of the worst sinners, showed humility by recognising his sin and repented. The tax collector was ultimately justified before God, while the Pharisee, who thought he was doing well, was not. Humility is a door through which salvation, blessings and knowledge come. We must guard our hearts against pride and self-righteousness if we want to have the relationship that God is calling us to have. [Speaker: CJ]