Two Men at Prayer

Two Men at Prayer

Two men walk into a church. --

Sounds like the beginning of a Christian joke -- doesn't it? -- But it's not a joke! -- Two men walk into a church in order to pray. The one fellow prayed: -- "God, I thank you that the world has people like me. -- The man on the corner needs welfare; -- I don't. -- The prostitute on the street has AIDS; -- I don't. -- The drunk at the bar needs alcohol; -- I don't. -- The gay people need morality -- I don't. -- I thank you that the world has people like me."

The other man was too broken in his inner spirit -- so much so that he could not even look up to the skies. Instead -- he bowed & prayed: -- "God, have mercy on me, a sinner. -- Like my brother on welfare, I'm dependent on your grace. -- Like my sister with AIDS, I'm inflected with mistakes. -- Like my friend who drinks, I need something to ease my pain. -- And as you love & give direction to the gay, grant some to me as well. -- Have mercy on me, a sinner."

The story I just told you is a modern paraphrase of the parable Jesus tells in Luke 18:9-14. If this parable recorded in Luke's Gospel tells us anything -- it tells us that with the same intensity that God hates arrogance -- God loves humility. To some who were confident of their own righteousness & looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: -- "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee & the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up & prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like all other men --robbers, evildoers, adulterers -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, & give a tenth of all I get.'

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast & said, 'God, have mercy on me a sinner.'

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, & he who humbles himself will be exalted" (NIV).

Allow me to ask you a key question today: -- What kind of a difference is God making in your life today? Many of the parables of Jesus are based on a striking contrast between two different individuals. For example: -- in the parable of the Good Samaritan -- we see the contrast between the priest who passed by -- & the Samaritan who stopped to help. In Jesus' parable about Lazarus & the rich man -- we find the contrast is between the selfish rich man who went to hell -- & the pitiful beggar, Lazarus, who went to heaven. In the parable of the prodigal son -- we note the contrast is between the younger son, who went into a far country -- & the elder son, who stayed at home.

In the parable of the Pharisee & the tax collector -- we see the contrast between a self-righteous Pharisee & a penitent tax collector!

Here are two men -- in the same place -- at the same time -- in the same posture -- but what a striking contrast there is between their prayers & the results of those prayers!

These two men are in marked contrast to each other!

The one saw himself as much better than others.

The other saw himself as much worse than others.

The one needed God's help; -- the other didn't!

Two men -- two prayers -- two results!

Those are the points I see in this parable today -- & the points I want us to look at together this morning. Two men -- two prayers -- two results!

1. Two Men! -- Two very different Men!

Two men: -- one so called good guy; -- the other a bad guy! We cannot read this story without automatically identifying ourselves with one or the other of the two men.

Jesus said: -- "Two men went up to the temple to pray." One was a Pharisee -- who represented the religious elite of Jesus' day. -- They were the religious establishment! The Pharisees were highly religious individuals -- teachers & interpreters of the Old Testament Law!

They held distinctive doctrines such as -- immortality of the soul -- resurrection of the dead -- a belief in angels -- & they believed in divine control of history. But their most distinguished characteristic was their concern for keeping the Law! -- They kept it to the letter!

The other man was a publican (a tax-collector) -- who represented a socially despised group in Jesus' day. Publicans were Jews who had been hired by the Romans -- engaged to do the actual collection of the taxes -- & they were notorious for their crookedness & extortion.

These two men -- Pharisee & publican -- went to the same place -- the Temple -- for the same reason -- to pray. We can certainly commend both of them for their good intention.

Prayer is one of the most important duties & privileges in the spiritual life of any person. As air is to the lungs -- so is prayer to the soul. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray -- & exhorted them to "always ... pray & not lose heart." The Apostle Paul exhorts us to "pray without ceasing."

One of the books I am reading this year is Philip Yancey's new book, entitled Prayer -- & I am discovering a renewed & deeper appreciation for of the privilege & joy of prayer. While I love those sessions of prayer -- when I just concentrate on praying -- I am learning that I can also pray in interludes throughout the day: -- while I am walking between the house & the church; -- while I am waiting in line; -- waiting at a stop light.

Prayer is like exercise! -- I know it is good for me & I benefit from it. Yet -- as with exercise -- I wish I did it more often. -- I know I would profit more. In fact -- nearly every religion gives emphasis to the faithful practice of prayer. -- They stress its importance!

So far -- so good! -- Both men had good intentions: They went to a good place; -- the Temple. They were engaged in a good exercise; -- that of prayer.

The difference becomes obvious when we note the content of their prayers -- & the spirit in which they prayed.

2. Two Men! -- Two Prayers! -- Two very different Prayers!

It is very possible to do a good deed with the wrong motive -- & in a wrong spirit. A person may give generously to charity just to receive the applause of the public. Someone may fast & pray just to appear deeply spiritual before others. A person may go to church just to improve his business -- or his standing in the community.

Look at the prayer of the Pharisee: -- Jesus said: -- "he prayed thus with himself" -- "he began praying to himself." -- He was putting himself up on a pedestal.

True prayer is always offered to God & to God alone! But the Pharisee was more or less just talking to himself. He was really giving a testimonial before God. His was a self-righteous prayer. -- His prayer contained 34 words! But notice the personal pronouns "I" -- five times. -- Count them. First -- he compared himself to others -- especially the publican. He said: -- "God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are -- extortioners -- unjust -- adulterers -- or even as this publican -- this despised tax collector." Then he began to boost of his own good deeds: -- "I fast twice in the week; -- I give tithe of all that I possess."

What he said about himself was true -- but he took the credit for what he was upon himself! He prayed to the most important person in his little universe -- "with himself"! -- What an ego!

In the presence of the tax collector -- this Pharisee looked like a very moral & upright individual; -- one to be respected & modeled; -- but in the presence of God -- he appeared as a hypocrite & a sinner! The big question of life is not -- "How do I stack up with my fellow human beings?" -- but rather -- "How do I appear before God?"

The main defect in the Pharisee's prayer -- was that he dared to approach God on the basis of his own goodness -- rather than the grace of God. My friends -- apart from the grace of God -- we have no right to enter into His divine & holy presence! In contrast -- consider the prayer offered by the publican! He prayed in the spirit of humility -- highly conscious of his sins -- almost overwhelmed by the sense of his unworthiness. Jesus tells us that "standing afar off" -- he would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven -- but beat his breast. Perhaps -- perhaps -- when he entered the Temple -- the house of God -- he became so aware of the presence of the holy God -- that in comparison -- he immediately saw his sinfulness & unworthiness. So he hung his head in shame!

Now this tax collector could have easily turned the tables on the Pharisee. He might have compared himself with the Pharisee -- & said something like: -- "God, I know at times I have been deceptive & selfish in the tax-collecting -- but I thank You that I am not like this proud self-righteous Pharisee. -- He's nothing but a hypocrite. -- At least I'm open & honest about myself."

A Sunday School teacher presented a very moving lesson on this parable to her class of young people. When she finished her lesson -- she said solemnly to her class: -- "And now, children, let us bow our heads in prayer & thank God that we are not like that nasty old Pharisee!" -- She fell into the same pit! It is so easy to fall into this sort of self-justifying trap!

But the tax collector humbled himself & cast himself solely on the mercy -- on the grace of God; -- he prayed in all sincerity: -- "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" It was one of the simplest & shortest prayers (only 7 words) -- that any person could offer to God! It is not how long of prayers we offer -- but how sincerely we pray -- that makes the difference. And a prayer for God's mercy -- pardon & forgiveness -- in our lives -- sincerely prayed -- will always bring a response! Mercy is what we all need!

3. Two Men! -- Two Prayers! -- Two Results! -- Two very different Results!

Jesus concluded the parable by saying: -- "I tell you, -- this man went down to his house justified rather than the other." The tax-collector found forgiveness for his sins -- & went home a new person -- transformed by the grace of God. I have no doubt that he stopped his crooked & deceitful ways -- & became an honest tax collector from that point on. This most certainly would have surprised all his clients.

As for the Pharisee -- he went home unjustified -- unforgiven -- the same old person -- knowing only a form of righteousness without experiencing its power! -- Religious, but not spiritual! The Pharisee went home the same way in which he came -- full of pride & an over-inflated ego! The publican went home a new transformed person! God had provided him with a purpose for living -- a way of life with respect -- & a cause to which he could give his life with utmost satisfaction!

The Pharisee came in pride -- advertising his own goodness -- & God did not respond! The publican (tax-collector) came in humility -- confessing his need -- & his prayer was answered!

Many -- many times when an invitation is given at the close of a church service -- we find ourselves asking the question: -- "What will people think of me if I go up there & pray?" I ask: -- In eternity what difference does it make what others think? What really matters in your life & mine is this: -- "What does God think of me?"

My friends -- the most significant prayer any of us can ever pray -- is: -- "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" Mercy is what we all need! Such a prayer can bring you into right relationship with God! It can make the difference between -- being religious & being truly spiritual.

Conclusion: -- What about your prayers? Do you offer them in the right spirit -- with the right motive? Do you approach God on the basis of your own goodness -- or do you approach God on the basis of His grace? Does your praying leave you in your former condition -- or does your praying change you into the person God wants you to be? What kind of a difference is God making in your life today?

Dr. Steve Manley -- who you watch preaching as much as you listen as he preaches -- tells about the time he was standing out in front of the church watching & listening as people made their way into the sanctuary. He overheard two little old ladies -- bent over, talking on their way into the church: -- "$3.00 a pill, I tell you; -- $3. a pill. -- It's outrages."

They had a great service that Sunday morning! God comes on the sense, -- a great moving service! It was awesome; -- hearts were moved; -- hardly a dry eye in the place; -- a real movement of the Holy Spirit.

After church -- the speaker, Dr. Manley -- was once again out in front of the church. -- Out came these same two ladies. -- What were they talking about now? -- "And I have to take two pills a day; -- $3.00 a pill. -- It's just outrages!"

When you come into the house of God -- does it make a difference in your life? -- or do you leave the same way in which you came? My friends -- it is possible to be religious -- without being spiritual! We can do all the right things: -- faithful in church attendance; -- active in church; -- pay our tithe; -- serve on the board; -- pray when called upon; -- know all the right words; -- go through the motions; -- & still have a lack of genuine spirituality! In the final analysis -- the thing that matters most to God isn't our record of behavior alone. If we are good & proud of it -- there isn't much that God can do for us. If we are bad -- & yet truly remorseful -- then there is hope! That's the point Jesus made that day!

Does God make a difference in your life today? Will you leave this service -- renewed -- refreshed -- restored in the presence of God -- letting God work within you? Or will you leave this service the same old person you were when you came -- nothing changed -- nothing different!

When John Wesley lay near death -- he said to his dear friend Joseph Bradford: -- "I have been reflecting on my past life; -- I have been wandering up & down England now for 50 to 60 years -- endeavoring -- in my poor way -- to do a little good to my fellow creatures; -- & now it is probable that there are but a few steps between me & death -- & what have I to trust for salvation?"

Whereupon that stalwart preacher of holiness -- who had poured his life out for Christ in sacrificial service & great suffering -- who had given away the equivalent of more than a million dollars -- & now had only a few small personal possessions to call his own -- said: -- "I can see nothing which I have done or suffered -- that will bear looking at. -- I have no other plea than this: --

I 'the chief of sinners am, But Jesus died for me.'" Twice Wesley repeated this verse. -- Then he slept! After a while he awake & said in a plain voice: -- "There is no way into the holiest -- but by the blood of Christ!"

My friends -- you are religious when you trust in your own good works & merits & accomplishments; -- But you are truly spiritual when you place your faith & trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary.

"God, -- be merciful to me a sinner." Mercy -- forgiveness & pardon -- is what we all need! No, mercy is what we must have! -- or else we will never make it to Heaven! If you are still trying to save yourself -- you stand condemned. But as soon as you admit that you are hopelessly lost -- & you place your trust in Christ alone -- God will forgive you & declare you righteous!

That great old hymn -- Rock of Ages -- speaks to the issue: -- There is a lot of significance in the phrase -- "In my hand no price I bring; -- Simply to Thy cross I cling." My friends -- this is the way you & I come to God; -- this is the way you & I come to Church; -- this is the way you & I come to the Lord's Table; -- & this is the way you & I live our lives.

None of us have a leg to stand on!

Not the Pharisee who was a super good guy.

Not the tax collector who was a super sinful guy.

And not any of us who are here today.

None of us have a leg to stand on.

Verse nine is a super important part of this parable: -- Jesus spoke "to some who were confident of their own righteousness & looked down on everybody else" (Luke 18:9 NIV). That's the point! -- The Pharisee trusted in himself & that doesn't work. The tax collector trusted only on the mercy of God & that always works. You cannot trust yourself for salvation! To continue the hymn, Rock of Ages : -- "Could my tears forever flow, -- Could my zeal no languor know,

These for sin could not atone; -- Thou must save & Thou alone."

In the end -- (& isn't this beautiful) -- the focus of this story is not on the Pharisee -- nor on the tax collector. In fact the focus of the story is not on you & me -- & on how we stack up. In the end -- the spotlight is on the One Who makes the sun to shine on the good & on the bad; -- the One Who offers Himself to all of us in this life -- & in the life to come.

Oh -- "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, -- Let me hide myself in Thee."

Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ