There are three parables in the middle of the 18th chapter of Luke that deal with the common theme of self-righteousness vs justification. Below is the first of three articles that will examine these parables and how they address self-righteousness vs justification.
It all starts with verse 9, which says, “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:” Although that verse indicates that the parable immediately following addresses the topic, the two parables after deal with it as well.
The first is the parable comparing the prayers of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The characters in this parable are chosen for their striking contrast. Surely everyone would realize that a Pharisee was a righteous man. He was a leader in the church; holding a well respected position. He knew the law and was a practicioner. The Tax Collector on the other hand was a despised individual. He had sold his soul to Rome. He turned his back on his countrymen and collected money from his brethren for the enemy, and of course everyone knew he was keeping some of that money for himself.
Both of the characters went up to the Temple to pray, each with their own expectations, each looking to receive something. The Pharisee reminded God (and anyone else who was listening) of how good a man he was. He pointed out his righteousness, how he was not like, better, than other men, even using the praying Tax Collector as an example. The Tax Collector had no such wonderful things to offer to God on his behalf. All he could offer up to God was his penitent, broken self; no acts of fasting or works of righteousness, no comparisons to others, for he was so much worse than they. What a poor wretched soul he was. What could he possibly have that God would want?
But Jesus now throws his listeners a curveball. He tells us that the poor wretched sinner, who had confessed as much, was the one of the two that went home justified, saved by the Father. No, it was not the supposed righteous Pharisee, the religious leader who held an important role in the church. Instead it was the despised Tax Collector who left there with his sins forgiven and right before God. He had received God’s righteousness. The Pharisee had only his own self-righteousness – which will not stand before God.
There are some interesting similarities between the two in this story. Both of them prayed. God heard both of them (for God hears all things). Both of them got what they wanted on that day. The Tax Collector received the mercy he had asked for and was forgiven and justified. The Pharisee was exalted in his own mind and in the ears of those around him, which is what the self-righteous desire.
Which one will we be; the forgiven, justified sinner or the self-righteous who has only himself to count on?
We have no righteousness of our own. Our only hope is the righteousness of God given by His mercy and grace.