I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. Luke 18:14 (NLT)

Collector of Taxes – Us vs Them Series – Part 4

Go to  PART 1  |  PART 2  |  PART 3  |  PART 4  |  PART 5  |  PART 6

Jesus finished off his parable about a Pharisee and a Tax Collector (who both went to the temple to pray) with: “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:13-14

What?

The tax collector was the one who left right with God? He was justified?

This ending would have shocked and confused Jesus first century Jewish audience. They would have thought, “How on earth could this tax collector – a sinner and the shame of Israel – be found justified by God? Forgiven?”

While studying this parable, I’ve found myself on both sides of the fence: On the Pharisee's side of righteousness and law-fulfillment. And the Tax Collector's side of sinner and mercy needing. I’ve thought both, “Thank God I’m not a Tax Collector – a sell out to my people.” AND “Thank God I’m not a Pharisee – a harsh judge of broken humanity.”

But the thing about this parable is the moment I take the Tax Collector's side and say “Thank God I’m not the Pharisee,” I echo the voice of the Pharisee who prayed, “Thank you, God, that I am not like this Tax Collector…”

I become the comparer. I become the one who chooses sides, who deems one worthy and the other, not. This parable has a trick that makes us think. It messes with our world view and the dualistic notion of “us versus them.”

The trick of the parable is that you can’t side with anyone. The Tax Collector was the worst of sinners, and the Pharisee was pious and judgmental.

The second trick of this parable can be found in Jesus closing words, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.” (Luke 18:14). There is much debate in the theological world over the interpretation of the word “rather.” The original Greek word is “para” and can mean ‘rather than,’ like it has been interpreted here. BUT it can also mean ‘because of’ and ‘side by side.' This changes everything. Maybe both men left justified in their own ways; maybe both men left on a journey with a ways to go… both needing growth, change and mercy.

Perhaps there is grace and room in God’s Kingdom for saint and sinner alike, the righteous and the downcast, the arrogant and the surrendered. Perhaps humility can work its way into any heart, its impact universal rather than limited and exclusive. And the trick, as always, is not to choose sides but to remain humble and open to others and the Divine. A life of faith is not about drawing lines in the sand and taking sides, US versus THEM. It's not either or, it’s a divine “AND.” All of us. Together. On a journey.

Grace cannot be limited. It does not choose sides. But to the humble heart, it is as visible and as bright as a brand new day.

Of course, you have convictions, passions, things that you feel need to happen in the world and projects that you believe will change lives. And you need to pursue these things with your life. But in your pursuit and cultivation of them, remain humble and open. Listen rather than demand. Discuss instead of arguing. Be willing to fail and be open to being wrong. Be ready to kneel and pray, beating your chest with your fists and asking for mercy rather than standing tall and judging yourself and your position better than your fellow man. Who is indeed, your fellow man no matter what they look like, how they live, and how different they are to you.

We have to figure out a way to be in the world with one another without wilfully pitting ourselves against each other. You will not win people and change hearts and minds with condemnation, hate speech and lines drawn in sand.

Thomas Merton said,

“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.”

Over to you.

How can you go about changing the world without drawing lines in the sand?  Leave us a comment below.

Go to Part 5 – Moral Precepts »

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