1 00:00:01,010 --> 00:00:05,410 Speaker 1: But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift 2 00:00:05,490 --> 00:00:10,140 Speaker 1: up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, 3 00:00:10,700 --> 00:00:18,380 Speaker 1: be merciful to me, a sinner. Dear Lord, you are 4 00:00:18,420 --> 00:00:22,230 Speaker 1: a God of mercy. Because of the cross, you have 5 00:00:22,270 --> 00:00:28,290 Speaker 1: given countless second chances. We come before you, not as 6 00:00:28,330 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: self-righteous Christians, but as humble and broken human beings. We 7 00:00:35,060 --> 00:00:42,269 Speaker 1: recognize our flaws, shortcomings, and need for mercy. Just as 8 00:00:42,310 --> 00:00:45,670 Speaker 1: the tax collector beat his chest in sorrow and begged 9 00:00:45,750 --> 00:00:51,890 Speaker 1: for mercy, we come before you with humility. Forgive us, Lord. 10 00:00:53,390 --> 00:00:58,140 Speaker 1: Cleanse us of unrighteousness. Raise us up to a new 11 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:02,530 Speaker 1: life in you. Empower us to live lives that honor 12 00:01:02,590 --> 00:01:08,170 Speaker 1: you and showcase your glory to the world. We trust 13 00:01:08,220 --> 00:01:11,800 Speaker 1: that you will provide all the strength required to make 14 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:21,020 Speaker 1: a difference. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you 15 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:24,910 Speaker 1: for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. 16 00:01:25,709 --> 00:01:29,630 Speaker 1: Remain here to be swept away in this cinematic retelling 17 00:01:29,650 --> 00:01:36,120 Speaker 1: of Follow this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. 18 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: Doing so will keep you updated, but also help us 19 00:01:40,340 --> 00:01:44,020 Speaker 1: get discovered by more people. We want the story of 20 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:48,230 Speaker 1: Jesus to be known throughout the world. Thanks for making 21 00:01:48,290 --> 00:01:57,490 Speaker 1: that possible. Jesus watched the Pharisees closely. They sauntered through 22 00:01:57,530 --> 00:02:00,700 Speaker 1: the courtyards. as if their feet didn't churn up dust. 23 00:02:02,420 --> 00:02:05,930 Speaker 1: He watched a group of them scoff at a tax collector. 24 00:02:07,090 --> 00:02:07,710 Speaker 2: Traitor! 25 00:02:08,410 --> 00:02:12,950 Speaker 1: They yelled with scowls on their faces. Although their heads 26 00:02:13,150 --> 00:02:17,410 Speaker 1: were turned upward, they couldn't see God. They were too 27 00:02:17,450 --> 00:02:21,669 Speaker 1: consumed with religious superiority to notice what was right in 28 00:02:21,730 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 1: front of them. Jesus saw right through their righteous veneer. 29 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 1: He could see their hearts. Sensing Jesus' disapproval, the Pharisees 30 00:02:34,370 --> 00:02:35,669 Speaker 1: turned to Jesus and said. 31 00:02:36,810 --> 00:02:40,870 Speaker 3: What have you got to say about these traitors and sinners, Jesus? 32 00:02:41,650 --> 00:02:43,950 Speaker 3: You're the one who spends time with them. 33 00:02:45,050 --> 00:02:48,140 Speaker 1: They were baiting him, waiting for him to approve of 34 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 1: their lifestyle. Jesus wouldn't bite. With a glint in his eye, 35 00:02:55,100 --> 00:02:57,240 Speaker 1: Jesus stretched out his arm and said. 36 00:02:58,860 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 3: Let me tell you a story of two men who 37 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 3: went to the temple to pray. 38 00:03:04,940 --> 00:03:08,579 Speaker 4: Here's a chilling verse for you. But God resists the proud, 39 00:03:08,860 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 4: but gives grace to the humble. James 4.6 God is 40 00:03:13,500 --> 00:03:17,250 Speaker 4: actively working against the proud and pompous. If that doesn't 41 00:03:17,340 --> 00:03:20,169 Speaker 4: force us to seek humility, I don't know what will. 42 00:03:20,950 --> 00:03:25,010 Speaker 4: This is the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach with Pray.com, and 43 00:03:25,030 --> 00:03:28,890 Speaker 4: we've been exploring dramatized parables told by Jesus. This one 44 00:03:28,930 --> 00:03:31,630 Speaker 4: has a special place in my heart. This parable is short, 45 00:03:31,690 --> 00:03:35,890 Speaker 4: but so profound and tender. It's a story about justification, prayer, 46 00:03:36,250 --> 00:03:38,850 Speaker 4: and how we approach God. It's the story of the 47 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 4: Pharisee and the tax collector. The parable of the Pharisee 48 00:03:42,460 --> 00:03:45,620 Speaker 4: and the tax collector, as narrated by Jesus, pierces through 49 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 4: the facade of righteousness to reveal the profound truth of 50 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:53,460 Speaker 4: God's grace. These two men live totally different lives. On 51 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:55,980 Speaker 4: the outside, the Pharisee has his whole life put together. 52 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 4: But is a put-together, polished and perfect life really what 53 00:03:59,460 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 4: God wants for us? Does God need us to be 54 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:05,060 Speaker 4: perfect in every way? Does he need our lofty prayers 55 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:08,440 Speaker 4: and our loud acts of righteousness? Or does he simply 56 00:04:08,500 --> 00:04:11,660 Speaker 4: need a humble and contrite heart? Let's find out now 57 00:04:11,980 --> 00:04:14,970 Speaker 4: in this dramatized parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. 58 00:04:17,390 --> 00:04:21,270 Speaker 3: Phineas awoke before the sun could pierce the polished lattice 59 00:04:21,310 --> 00:04:25,010 Speaker 3: of his room. The silken sheets of his cedar bed 60 00:04:25,050 --> 00:04:30,630 Speaker 3: were perfectly folded. He washed his face three times, once 61 00:04:30,670 --> 00:04:34,089 Speaker 3: to wake, twice to clean, and three for good measure. 62 00:04:35,750 --> 00:04:38,809 Speaker 3: Phineas took a blade to his face, trimming his beard 63 00:04:38,870 --> 00:04:44,650 Speaker 3: to meticulous symmetry. He examined every crease and fold of 64 00:04:44,690 --> 00:04:48,650 Speaker 3: his blue French robe and adjusted the leather amulet on 65 00:04:48,690 --> 00:04:53,050 Speaker 3: his headdress. As the morning rays trickled in through the window, 66 00:04:53,690 --> 00:04:57,920 Speaker 3: Phineas spotted a minor blemish on his mirror. He wiped 67 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,419 Speaker 3: it away with his thumb, accidentally spreading it across the 68 00:05:01,460 --> 00:05:06,730 Speaker 3: reflection on his face. His eyes twitched and he snarled. 69 00:05:08,270 --> 00:05:11,469 Speaker 3: He took a wet rag and scrubbed the mirror incessantly 70 00:05:11,810 --> 00:05:15,630 Speaker 3: until it revealed a perfectly clear image of his trimmed beard, 71 00:05:16,230 --> 00:05:21,010 Speaker 3: centered amulet, and smooth robe. Sighing with relief, he retrieved 72 00:05:21,050 --> 00:05:23,350 Speaker 3: some scrolls from his desk and walked out the door. 73 00:05:24,290 --> 00:05:27,910 Speaker 3: The beauty of the morning escaped Phineas' attentions. He was 74 00:05:28,029 --> 00:05:31,780 Speaker 3: too focused on the muddy beggars and loud merchants lacing 75 00:05:31,820 --> 00:05:34,820 Speaker 3: the pathway between his home and the temple. A few 76 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:38,979 Speaker 3: off-duty soldiers stumbled out of taverns and brothels, laughing and 77 00:05:39,060 --> 00:05:45,190 Speaker 3: tripping onto the floor. Despicable, he whispered. Phineas' servant weaved 78 00:05:45,230 --> 00:05:47,789 Speaker 3: through the carts and beggars and bowed at his feet. 79 00:05:48,690 --> 00:05:55,030 Speaker 3: You're late, Phineas scolded. The Lord rested on the seventh day, 80 00:05:55,150 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 3: not the fourth, Davos. If we're going to be about 81 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:01,859 Speaker 3: the Lord's work, we shall give him the perfection required 82 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:03,060 Speaker 3: to glorify him. 83 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:04,740 Speaker 2: Do you understand? 84 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 3: The servant bowed in contrition, saying nothing. 85 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 2: Good, let's be on our way. We have much to 86 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 2: accomplish before my teaching in the courtyard at high noon. 87 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:19,260 Speaker 2: Phineas's path to the temple was a ritual, a performance 88 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,830 Speaker 2: for the pious eyes that lined the cobbled streets, for 89 00:06:22,870 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 2: the poor beggars and cripples in town. He bestowed alms 90 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:29,289 Speaker 2: with a practiced flourish. The clink of coins landing in 91 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,150 Speaker 2: outstretched palms echoed through the marketplace. 92 00:06:32,790 --> 00:06:36,409 Speaker 3: To you from the Lord, he would shout for everyone 93 00:06:36,430 --> 00:06:39,690 Speaker 3: to hear. Phineas only gave alms to the poor in 94 00:06:39,790 --> 00:06:42,919 Speaker 3: front of the temple so the eyes of other Pharisees 95 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:47,260 Speaker 3: would be upon him. After his charity performance, Phineas made 96 00:06:47,300 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 3: his way to the temple storehouse. His servant carried a 97 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:54,750 Speaker 3: bag of different sacks, all labeled and weighed to a tee. 98 00:06:55,890 --> 00:06:59,510 Speaker 3: Phineas had measured every ounce of grain, spices, and fruit 99 00:06:59,570 --> 00:07:03,700 Speaker 3: to tie the tenth to the Lord. He also had 100 00:07:03,740 --> 00:07:06,940 Speaker 3: his income tithe in a purple linen sack secured to 101 00:07:06,980 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 3: his side. 102 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:11,340 Speaker 2: I have come to give my offering. 103 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:14,570 Speaker 3: To the Lord. Phineas declared for all to hear. 104 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 2: Spices, fruits, grains, and coins, all for the glory of 105 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 2: our God and might of the temple. May God be praised. 106 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:31,180 Speaker 3: Every act of charity, every mumbled verse, another layer of 107 00:07:31,260 --> 00:07:36,700 Speaker 3: righteousness painted upon his already gleaming image. Many were awed 108 00:07:36,740 --> 00:07:40,460 Speaker 3: at Phineas' meticulous attention to the law, not seeing the 109 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:45,700 Speaker 3: current of anxious energy pulsing beneath the surface. As Phineas 110 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 3: left the storehouse towards the Hall of Prayer, a man 111 00:07:48,620 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 3: bumped into him, knocking the headdress off his head. The 112 00:07:52,460 --> 00:07:57,179 Speaker 3: perfectly white material fell into the dust. Phineas seethed in anger. 113 00:07:58,220 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 2: Fool! 114 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:00,040 Speaker 1: He yelled. 115 00:08:01,220 --> 00:08:04,340 Speaker 3: The man before him smelled of stale wine, and dark 116 00:08:04,460 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 3: rings hung underneath his eyes. 117 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:10,420 Speaker 2: If you spent more time praying and less time drinking 118 00:08:10,460 --> 00:08:13,500 Speaker 2: all night, you'd be more alert to the people around you. 119 00:08:14,300 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 2: Selfish fool, I have a sermon to give later today. 120 00:08:17,860 --> 00:08:21,870 Speaker 2: Now I may have to return home to clean my headdress. 121 00:08:22,610 --> 00:08:24,030 Speaker 2: What do you have to say for yourself? 122 00:08:24,610 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 3: He shook his head, barely able to utter an apology. I. 123 00:08:31,410 --> 00:08:35,630 Speaker 3: The man stumbled on his words, flustered and ashamed. Phineas 124 00:08:35,770 --> 00:08:37,699 Speaker 3: clenched his jaw and ground his teeth. 125 00:08:38,900 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 2: Your what? 126 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:39,400 Speaker 4: What? 127 00:08:40,170 --> 00:08:45,110 Speaker 2: Sorry? Don't apologize to me. Apologize to the Lord. It's 128 00:08:45,210 --> 00:08:49,250 Speaker 2: him who is angry with you. Look at you. From 129 00:08:49,290 --> 00:08:51,740 Speaker 2: the cut of your robe, you appear to be a 130 00:08:51,820 --> 00:08:56,780 Speaker 2: tax collector. You still reek from whatever debauchery you were 131 00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:00,880 Speaker 2: steeped in last night. All you tax collectors are the same. 132 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 2: It's not enough to betray your people, but now you 133 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:08,070 Speaker 2: must disgrace God by coming to his righteous temple.' Scurry 134 00:09:08,110 --> 00:09:10,510 Speaker 2: back to the Romans like the lapdog you are and 135 00:09:10,650 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 2: get out of my way! Phineas stormed off, scoffing and 136 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:18,120 Speaker 2: frantically wiping the dust off his headdress. He looked at 137 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:22,179 Speaker 2: his reflection in the fountain to adjust the amulet. Thank 138 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:25,220 Speaker 2: God I am not a tax collector. Those men have 139 00:09:25,380 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 2: no idea what judgment awaits them. With those words, Phineas 140 00:09:30,220 --> 00:09:33,179 Speaker 2: scaled the temple steps into the prayer hall. The sounds 141 00:09:33,220 --> 00:09:36,950 Speaker 2: of his steps bounced up and down the halls, echoing 142 00:09:36,990 --> 00:09:41,320 Speaker 2: the hollow reality of his heart. With his head held high, 143 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 2: Phineas marched up the steps and into the prayer hall. 144 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 2: The air was thick with the smell of incense. Hushed 145 00:09:48,340 --> 00:09:50,060 Speaker 2: prayers reverberated off the walls. 146 00:09:51,260 --> 00:09:58,110 Speaker 3: He breathed in deeply and smiled. This is where I belong. 147 00:09:59,570 --> 00:10:03,100 Speaker 3: Phineas sighed. in relief. He felt comfortable within the temple walls. 148 00:10:03,630 --> 00:10:05,429 Speaker 3: He approached the altar of prayer in the center of 149 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:09,699 Speaker 3: the hall. Onlookers saw him stand before the Lord. With 150 00:10:09,740 --> 00:10:13,220 Speaker 3: a deep and resonant voice, Phineas prayed for all to hear. 151 00:10:14,980 --> 00:10:22,140 Speaker 2: God... I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, 152 00:10:22,380 --> 00:10:23,490 Speaker 2: and adulterers. 153 00:10:24,470 --> 00:10:27,290 Speaker 3: The Pharisee glanced at the tax collector hobbling in the corner. 154 00:10:28,330 --> 00:10:31,290 Speaker 3: His nostrils flared, and he continued to pray. 155 00:10:31,309 --> 00:10:34,110 Speaker 2: And I thank you that I am not like this 156 00:10:34,390 --> 00:10:38,510 Speaker 2: tax collector. I fast twice a week, give a tenth 157 00:10:38,550 --> 00:10:41,429 Speaker 2: of all I earn, and seek to obey your law. 158 00:10:42,170 --> 00:10:43,270 Speaker 2: Everyone heard his prayer. 159 00:10:43,900 --> 00:10:47,780 Speaker 3: They heard his declaration of righteousness and public display of holiness. 160 00:10:49,260 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 3: Phineas recited a few more prayers, then left the temple 161 00:10:52,420 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 3: steps to continue about his day. He left unchanged. Phineas' 162 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:03,250 Speaker 3: day proceeded as planned, everything neatly in its place. Nothing 163 00:11:03,300 --> 00:11:07,949 Speaker 3: remarkable happened to Phineas. He gained nothing in his prayers because, well, 164 00:11:08,870 --> 00:11:11,430 Speaker 3: they were not prayers at all. His utterances in the 165 00:11:11,470 --> 00:11:15,430 Speaker 3: temple were merely ornaments. like the blue fringes on his 166 00:11:15,470 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 3: robe or the amulet on his headdress. Because of this, 167 00:11:19,820 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 3: nothing in Phineas' life would ever change, and, well, that 168 00:11:23,380 --> 00:11:29,459 Speaker 3: was just how he liked it. The sunlight pierced through 169 00:11:29,500 --> 00:11:33,309 Speaker 3: a hole in Simeon's closed curtains. The rays shone in 170 00:11:33,350 --> 00:11:38,350 Speaker 3: his face, waking him from his feverish slumber. He awoke 171 00:11:38,410 --> 00:11:42,880 Speaker 3: to a rotten stench of stale wine and regret. The 172 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:46,400 Speaker 3: remnants of another debauched night with his associates laced the floor. 173 00:11:47,420 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 3: He propped himself up and rubbed his head. It ached 174 00:11:50,940 --> 00:11:53,970 Speaker 3: from lack of sleep, lack of water, and lack of 175 00:11:54,020 --> 00:11:58,170 Speaker 3: general care for himself. He propped himself up and surveyed 176 00:11:58,210 --> 00:12:00,710 Speaker 3: the wreckage of his home. His house was filled with 177 00:12:00,790 --> 00:12:06,100 Speaker 3: empty coffers, hung over tax collectors, sleeping prostitutes, and crumpled undergarments. 178 00:12:07,300 --> 00:12:09,900 Speaker 3: As he gazed at the scene before him, he felt 179 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:13,250 Speaker 3: a gnawing hollowness in his heart, a hollowness that he 180 00:12:13,309 --> 00:12:16,189 Speaker 3: knew no amount of gold or pleasure could ever fill. 181 00:12:17,210 --> 00:12:20,110 Speaker 3: Simeon groaned and limped over the people sleeping on the floor. 182 00:12:20,850 --> 00:12:23,300 Speaker 3: He reached the water basin and dunked his head in, 183 00:12:23,820 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 3: trying to wash away the regret and self-loathing. He took 184 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:30,439 Speaker 3: his head out of the water and looked in the mirror. 185 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 3: The water dripped from his unkempt beard, muddying the basin below. 186 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:41,340 Speaker 3: Simeon couldn't stand his reflections. Although he was beloved by 187 00:12:41,380 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 3: the Romans and his fellow tax collectors, he was hated 188 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:48,490 Speaker 3: by his kin. He betrayed them for a life of extravagance. 189 00:12:49,970 --> 00:12:52,270 Speaker 3: At the time, Simeon felt he had no choice but 190 00:12:52,290 --> 00:12:55,550 Speaker 3: to become a tax collector. He had lost a drunken wager, 191 00:12:55,850 --> 00:12:59,670 Speaker 3: descended into debt, and lost his way. Turning to the 192 00:12:59,710 --> 00:13:03,150 Speaker 3: Romans was a way out and a way up. Simeon 193 00:13:03,210 --> 00:13:06,290 Speaker 3: later realized that moving up in the world meant moving 194 00:13:06,390 --> 00:13:11,270 Speaker 3: downward in his soul. Memories, sharp as broken glass, sliced 195 00:13:11,330 --> 00:13:15,310 Speaker 3: through his mind. He had exploited so many innocent people. 196 00:13:16,090 --> 00:13:20,200 Speaker 3: He had taken advantage of so many families. Every coin 197 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:23,220 Speaker 3: clinking in his pouch echoed with the cries of the poor. 198 00:13:24,340 --> 00:13:26,939 Speaker 3: Every sip of liquor spoke of new sins to come. 199 00:13:27,740 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 3: Every touch of silk whispered of stolen innocence. 200 00:13:32,420 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: Who am I? 201 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:38,890 Speaker 3: Simeon whispered into the mirror. His guilt was a long 202 00:13:38,950 --> 00:13:42,070 Speaker 3: and festering wound. He needed healing. 203 00:13:43,170 --> 00:13:47,420 Speaker 1: If I repented and returned to God, would he even 204 00:13:47,500 --> 00:13:48,300 Speaker 1: receive me? 205 00:13:49,460 --> 00:13:52,620 Speaker 3: Simeon crumpled to the floor and sobbed into his knees. 206 00:13:53,540 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 3: Shame had grown like weeds in his heart, choking out 207 00:13:57,110 --> 00:13:58,329 Speaker 3: hope for a better life. 208 00:14:01,690 --> 00:14:02,630 Speaker 1: Who have I become? 209 00:14:04,070 --> 00:14:06,650 Speaker 3: This was usually when Simeon returned to the bottle to 210 00:14:06,710 --> 00:14:10,470 Speaker 3: drown his regret in more regret. But this time was different. 211 00:14:11,170 --> 00:14:13,980 Speaker 3: The light peeking in through the curtain grew brighter as 212 00:14:14,030 --> 00:14:19,340 Speaker 3: the sun rose, reaching his sobbing cheek. It was as 213 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:22,479 Speaker 3: if God was reaching out to him, extending a hand 214 00:14:22,540 --> 00:14:26,260 Speaker 3: of hope. Simeon was a broken man, but for a 215 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 3: brief and divine moment, his resolve to return to God 216 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:34,230 Speaker 3: was awakened. Simeon ran out the door, The morning sun 217 00:14:34,290 --> 00:14:40,100 Speaker 3: attacked Simeon's eyes. Where are you going, Simeon? One of 218 00:14:40,130 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 3: his friends called from inside. There are no tasks for today. 219 00:14:44,700 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 3: Come back to bed. Everything in Simeon's body ached to 220 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:51,460 Speaker 3: be back inside under the covers, but the pain of 221 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 3: limping in the light was nothing compared to the anguish 222 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:59,090 Speaker 3: of remaining in darkness. He ignored the voice of temptation 223 00:14:59,430 --> 00:15:01,530 Speaker 3: and hobbled his way up the path towards the temple. 224 00:15:02,670 --> 00:15:06,910 Speaker 3: Its gleaming white and golden walls shone brilliantly in the distance. 225 00:15:08,090 --> 00:15:10,790 Speaker 3: It was a beacon of hope, a lighthouse in the 226 00:15:10,910 --> 00:15:13,060 Speaker 3: stormy sea that was Simeon's life. 227 00:15:14,900 --> 00:15:16,260 Speaker 2: Will God accept me? 228 00:15:18,680 --> 00:15:20,220 Speaker 1: Am I worthy of mercy? 229 00:15:21,380 --> 00:15:21,860 Speaker 2: He wondered. 230 00:15:23,100 --> 00:15:25,830 Speaker 3: Every face Simeon passed was a reflection of his sin. 231 00:15:26,550 --> 00:15:29,510 Speaker 3: They scowled at him as he walked. They spat in 232 00:15:29,570 --> 00:15:33,510 Speaker 3: his direction and cursed him as he passed. Tax collectors 233 00:15:33,590 --> 00:15:37,210 Speaker 3: usually had Roman gods assigned to them for protection. That 234 00:15:37,250 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 3: is how hated they were by the Jews. Simeon's journey 235 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 3: to the temple was dangerous in a way. He reached 236 00:15:45,220 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 3: the temple steps, legs trembling, and hesitated. Could God ever 237 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,460 Speaker 3: hear the prayers of a soul as black as his? 238 00:15:53,460 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 3: Just as he took another step forward, he stumbled into 239 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:59,580 Speaker 3: a Pharisee and knocked his headdress off. The perfectly white 240 00:15:59,620 --> 00:16:02,940 Speaker 3: material fell into the dust. The Pharisee yelled. 241 00:16:03,850 --> 00:16:04,300 Speaker 2: Fool! 242 00:16:05,350 --> 00:16:08,170 Speaker 3: Simeon looked up at the man. He was adorned in 243 00:16:08,270 --> 00:16:12,830 Speaker 3: perfectly tailored robes, glimmering in the sunshine. He was clearly 244 00:16:12,870 --> 00:16:16,050 Speaker 3: an important man with a busy schedule. Simeon felt the 245 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 3: Pharisee's judgment piercing through his eyes. But it was his 246 00:16:19,540 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 3: words that stabbed him the most. 247 00:16:22,180 --> 00:16:25,300 Speaker 2: If you spent more time praying and less time drinking 248 00:16:25,340 --> 00:16:28,450 Speaker 2: all night, you'd be more alert to the people around you. 249 00:16:29,190 --> 00:16:32,700 Speaker 2: Selfish fool! I have a sermon to give later today. 250 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:36,740 Speaker 2: Now I may have to return home to clean my headdress. 251 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 2: What do you have to say for yourself? Simeon's lower 252 00:16:40,620 --> 00:16:44,100 Speaker 2: lip quivered in shame. Was this a sign that God 253 00:16:44,140 --> 00:16:46,980 Speaker 2: didn't want him there? Had he made a mistake in 254 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:51,140 Speaker 2: coming to the temple? Simeon shook his head, barely able 255 00:16:51,180 --> 00:16:57,290 Speaker 2: to utter an apology. I... He stumbled on his words, 256 00:16:57,790 --> 00:17:00,350 Speaker 2: flustered and ashamed. Your what? 257 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:01,580 Speaker 3: Sorry? 258 00:17:02,180 --> 00:17:06,460 Speaker 2: Don't apologize to me. Apologize to the Lord. It's him 259 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:10,330 Speaker 2: who is angry with you. Look at you. From the 260 00:17:10,470 --> 00:17:13,710 Speaker 2: cut of your robe, you appear to be a tax collector. 261 00:17:14,510 --> 00:17:18,350 Speaker 2: You still reek from whatever debauchery you were steeped in 262 00:17:18,390 --> 00:17:21,859 Speaker 2: last night. All you tax collectors are the same. 263 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:25,680 Speaker 3: The Pharisees stormed off, content to leave Simeon in a 264 00:17:25,740 --> 00:17:29,859 Speaker 3: pool of self-loathing. The broken tax collector looked down at 265 00:17:29,900 --> 00:17:33,200 Speaker 3: his feet. He dared not look up. He couldn't lift 266 00:17:33,220 --> 00:17:36,720 Speaker 3: his eyes. He wasn't worthy. Although the Pharisee was harsh 267 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 3: in his words, he was right. Simeon's life had spiraled 268 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:44,700 Speaker 3: out of control. He had betrayed his people, disgraced God, 269 00:17:45,100 --> 00:17:48,439 Speaker 3: and become a lapdog for the Romans. Yet even dogs 270 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:51,619 Speaker 3: could beg at the table of the Lord, yes? With 271 00:17:51,660 --> 00:17:55,149 Speaker 3: his head held low, Simeon marched up the steps and 272 00:17:55,210 --> 00:17:58,129 Speaker 3: into the prayer hall. The air was thick with the 273 00:17:58,190 --> 00:18:01,889 Speaker 3: smell of incense. Hushed prayers reverberated. 274 00:18:01,310 --> 00:18:01,929 Speaker 2: Off the walls. 275 00:18:03,340 --> 00:18:07,820 Speaker 3: This is no place for someone like me, Simeon thought. 276 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:14,840 Speaker 1: But if this is where the Lord is, this is 277 00:18:14,900 --> 00:18:15,860 Speaker 1: where I want to be. 278 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:19,919 Speaker 3: The tax collector found an open space in the corner 279 00:18:19,940 --> 00:18:24,399 Speaker 3: to pray. He didn't want to be seen. With his 280 00:18:24,460 --> 00:18:28,889 Speaker 3: head still low, Simeon labored with what to say. His 281 00:18:28,930 --> 00:18:31,590 Speaker 3: throat tensed and his heart pounded. 282 00:18:31,190 --> 00:18:31,929 Speaker 2: Out of his chest. 283 00:18:32,710 --> 00:18:35,540 Speaker 3: He dared not look up. He dared not sully the 284 00:18:35,580 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 3: Lord's temple with his gaze. He strained for words, but 285 00:18:39,980 --> 00:18:43,480 Speaker 3: nothing would come out. He had ignored God for so long. 286 00:18:44,140 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 3: He had neglected his soul. He felt like a shriveled plant, 287 00:18:48,359 --> 00:18:53,389 Speaker 3: desperate for one drop of rain. God, he whispered. His 288 00:18:53,450 --> 00:18:56,490 Speaker 3: voice barely broke through the echoing hymns and prayers of 289 00:18:56,530 --> 00:19:00,859 Speaker 3: the people beside him. His face trembled, holding his tears back. 290 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:02,300 Speaker 1: God? 291 00:19:03,100 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 3: The dam holding back his sorrow cracked each time he 292 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:11,790 Speaker 3: began his prayer. Finally, he beat his chest and gritted 293 00:19:11,830 --> 00:19:12,350 Speaker 3: his teeth. 294 00:19:13,730 --> 00:19:17,070 Speaker 2: God, have mercy on me. A sinner. 295 00:19:19,609 --> 00:19:22,689 Speaker 3: That's when the dam finally broke. Years of shame and 296 00:19:22,830 --> 00:19:26,740 Speaker 3: sorrow burst out of him. Tears fell onto the polished 297 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:31,200 Speaker 3: stone floor. He confessed his sins, not with grand pronouncements, 298 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 3: but with raw, broken sobs. Although short and silent, his 299 00:19:37,140 --> 00:19:40,240 Speaker 3: prayer reverberated into heaven's halls. 300 00:19:41,890 --> 00:19:43,710 Speaker 1: Jesus gestured to the Pharisees. 301 00:19:45,369 --> 00:19:48,629 Speaker 3: Both these men stood before God in prayer, but I 302 00:19:48,690 --> 00:19:53,080 Speaker 3: tell you, the tabernacle... collector went home justified before God. 303 00:19:54,980 --> 00:19:57,920 Speaker 1: The crowd stirred at the idea of a tax collector 304 00:19:58,300 --> 00:20:04,260 Speaker 1: receiving favor before a Pharisee. Yet Jesus was resolute in 305 00:20:04,300 --> 00:20:08,850 Speaker 1: his point. He stepped toward the Pharisees. pleading with them 306 00:20:09,130 --> 00:20:12,959 Speaker 1: to see the error of their ways. Their hearts had 307 00:20:12,980 --> 00:20:15,960 Speaker 1: been corrupted by pride and self-reliance. 308 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:21,260 Speaker 3: Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled, but whoever humbles themselves 309 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:22,980 Speaker 3: will be exalted. 310 00:20:26,390 --> 00:20:31,250 Speaker 4: Phineas, adorned in his meticulous attire, represents an all-too-familiar posture 311 00:20:31,270 --> 00:20:35,110 Speaker 4: in our spiritual walk, the external adherence to religious practice 312 00:20:35,530 --> 00:20:39,580 Speaker 4: while the heart remains distant and neglected. His prayers, filled 313 00:20:39,619 --> 00:20:43,639 Speaker 4: with self-congratulation and comparison, echo the hollow sound of pride. 314 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:47,869 Speaker 4: In his certainty of his superiority, Phineas misses the essence 315 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:52,190 Speaker 4: of true righteousness, which is a relationship with God, grounded 316 00:20:52,310 --> 00:20:56,149 Speaker 4: in humility and love. As we reflect on Phineas' approach 317 00:20:56,170 --> 00:20:59,450 Speaker 4: to God, we are invited to examine our own hearts. 318 00:20:59,990 --> 00:21:03,450 Speaker 4: How often do we measure our own spirituality by external 319 00:21:03,510 --> 00:21:07,410 Speaker 4: markers comparing ourselves to others to affirm our standing before God? 320 00:21:08,140 --> 00:21:11,770 Speaker 4: The danger of self-righteousness in comparison is that it blinds 321 00:21:11,830 --> 00:21:14,470 Speaker 4: us to our own need of God's grace, leading us 322 00:21:14,510 --> 00:21:17,050 Speaker 4: to trust in our own deeds rather than God's mercy. 323 00:21:17,570 --> 00:21:20,910 Speaker 4: Contrast that with Simeon's journey to the temple. His journey 324 00:21:20,930 --> 00:21:23,490 Speaker 4: is marked by an awareness of his brokenness and a 325 00:21:23,570 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 4: desperate longing for God's forgiveness. His prayer, simple yet profound, 326 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:31,600 Speaker 4: God be merciful to me, a sinner, captures the essence 327 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:35,459 Speaker 4: of a heart truly seeking God. Simeon's humility allows him 328 00:21:35,500 --> 00:21:38,580 Speaker 4: to recognize his need for God's grace. setting the stage 329 00:21:38,619 --> 00:21:42,740 Speaker 4: for genuine transformation. Because there can be no genuine change 330 00:21:42,780 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 4: in our lives, no genuine transformation of the soul, unless 331 00:21:46,140 --> 00:21:50,090 Speaker 4: we first recognized our need for God. In Simeon's tearful plea, 332 00:21:50,140 --> 00:21:52,649 Speaker 4: we find the courage to confront our own sins and 333 00:21:52,710 --> 00:21:55,530 Speaker 4: grace to approach God with a humble heart. This story 334 00:21:55,570 --> 00:21:58,430 Speaker 4: should give us boldness that it doesn't matter what we've done. 335 00:21:58,609 --> 00:22:01,050 Speaker 4: What matters is how we bring ourselves to God in 336 00:22:01,109 --> 00:22:04,090 Speaker 4: humility and what we do after we've come before him. 337 00:22:04,450 --> 00:22:07,710 Speaker 4: His prayer reminds us that our righteousness doesn't earn God's 338 00:22:07,790 --> 00:22:10,760 Speaker 4: love and mercy. Those things are freely given to those 339 00:22:10,780 --> 00:22:13,740 Speaker 4: who recognize their need for him. We're also stricken by 340 00:22:13,780 --> 00:22:16,660 Speaker 4: the posture of Phineas. He's so confident and arrogant when 341 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:20,120 Speaker 4: he speaks to God. A passage from Ecclesiastes comes to mind. 342 00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 4: Listen to the words of Solomon when he talks about 343 00:22:22,619 --> 00:22:25,460 Speaker 4: approaching God. Guard your steps when you go to the 344 00:22:25,500 --> 00:22:28,619 Speaker 4: house of God. Go near and listen rather than offer 345 00:22:28,660 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 4: sacrifice of fools who do not know that they've done 346 00:22:31,580 --> 00:22:38,460 Speaker 4: anything wrong. Ecclesiastes 5.1 Intimate and transformative prayer requires two things. One, 347 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 4: it requires an awareness of God. And two, it requires 348 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:45,620 Speaker 4: an awareness of self. So first, it requires an awareness 349 00:22:45,660 --> 00:22:49,310 Speaker 4: of God. We must realize God's vastness, holiness, and power 350 00:22:49,369 --> 00:22:52,310 Speaker 4: when we approach Him in prayer. Jesus reminds us that 351 00:22:52,369 --> 00:22:56,629 Speaker 4: our prayer should begin with recognizing God's righteousness. Hallowed be 352 00:22:56,670 --> 00:22:59,389 Speaker 4: thy name. God is our friend and our counselor, but 353 00:22:59,430 --> 00:23:02,810 Speaker 4: He's still God. He's holy. He's righteous. He's apart from us. 354 00:23:03,310 --> 00:23:06,230 Speaker 4: He's not your homeboy or your buddy. He's the Lord 355 00:23:06,310 --> 00:23:09,990 Speaker 4: of all creation, and he should be approached with reverence, respect, 356 00:23:10,330 --> 00:23:13,810 Speaker 4: and awe. This leads to our second step to intimate 357 00:23:13,830 --> 00:23:18,090 Speaker 4: and transformative prayer, and that's awareness of self. The Pharisee 358 00:23:18,130 --> 00:23:20,820 Speaker 4: approached God like a fool. He didn't take any time 359 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:22,950 Speaker 4: to reflect or consider the state of his own heart. 360 00:23:23,540 --> 00:23:25,879 Speaker 4: If he did, he would have realized how arrogant and 361 00:23:25,940 --> 00:23:29,020 Speaker 4: vain he was. God wants us to approach him boldly, 362 00:23:29,340 --> 00:23:32,470 Speaker 4: but not arrogantly. The Apostle Paul set a great example 363 00:23:32,530 --> 00:23:35,150 Speaker 4: for us. He accomplished a lot in the kingdom of God, 364 00:23:35,750 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 4: but it never got to his head. He often described 365 00:23:38,600 --> 00:23:41,300 Speaker 4: himself as a wretch, ignorant, or the chief of sinners. 366 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:44,600 Speaker 4: He knew that compared to God, he was nothing. The 367 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:47,220 Speaker 4: tax collector had a healthy view of where he stood 368 00:23:47,260 --> 00:23:47,859 Speaker 4: before God. 369 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 2: He knew that. 370 00:23:48,900 --> 00:23:52,120 Speaker 4: God was the Holy One, not him. Jesus concludes this 371 00:23:52,160 --> 00:23:56,680 Speaker 4: parable with a powerful declaration. The tax collector, not the Pharisee, 372 00:23:57,040 --> 00:24:01,959 Speaker 4: went home justified before God. This truth challenges our perceptions 373 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:04,899 Speaker 4: of worthiness and invites us to embrace humility as a 374 00:24:04,940 --> 00:24:08,939 Speaker 4: pathway to God's heart. Justification is not a reward for righteousness, 375 00:24:09,020 --> 00:24:11,260 Speaker 4: but a gift of grace to those who humbly seek 376 00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:14,500 Speaker 4: God's mercy. As we ponder the lives of Phineas and Simeon, 377 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:17,439 Speaker 4: let us be reminded that our prayers are not performances 378 00:24:17,500 --> 00:24:21,230 Speaker 4: for divine approval, but expressions of our reliance on God's 379 00:24:21,350 --> 00:24:24,710 Speaker 4: boundless mercy. May we, like the tax collector, come to 380 00:24:24,750 --> 00:24:28,310 Speaker 4: God with hearts open and broken, trusting that His grace 381 00:24:28,450 --> 00:24:32,590 Speaker 4: is sufficient for us. Today, let's choose the path of humility, 382 00:24:32,750 --> 00:24:36,389 Speaker 4: recognizing our constant need for God's grace. May our prayers 383 00:24:36,470 --> 00:24:39,580 Speaker 4: reflect a genuine relationship with God, grounded not in our 384 00:24:39,619 --> 00:24:42,919 Speaker 4: own righteousness, but in His mercy. Let us embrace the 385 00:24:42,980 --> 00:24:45,460 Speaker 4: truth that we are all in need of forgiveness and 386 00:24:45,500 --> 00:24:47,879 Speaker 4: that our humble reliance on God is what truly defines 387 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:51,429 Speaker 4: our righteousness. If we can approach God in humility, we 388 00:24:51,450 --> 00:24:55,610 Speaker 4: can actually bring our authentic selves before Him. not masking 389 00:24:55,670 --> 00:24:59,189 Speaker 4: our problems, not shying away from our sins, but humbly 390 00:24:59,250 --> 00:25:02,690 Speaker 4: acknowledging our weakness before him and then allowing his grace 391 00:25:02,730 --> 00:25:05,980 Speaker 4: to have its transformative effect in our lives. There can 392 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 4: be no change without humility. May the story of the 393 00:25:09,619 --> 00:25:12,200 Speaker 4: Pharisee and the tax collector inspire us to live hearts 394 00:25:12,260 --> 00:25:15,020 Speaker 4: attuned to God's mercy, walking the journey of faith with 395 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:19,570 Speaker 4: humility and love. I'm going to confess something. Tomorrow's episode 396 00:25:19,850 --> 00:25:21,970 Speaker 4: is one of my favorites that we've done so far. 397 00:25:22,550 --> 00:25:26,350 Speaker 4: It's about God's devotion and courageous love for us, exemplified 398 00:25:26,410 --> 00:25:29,260 Speaker 4: in how a shepherd leaves the safety of his pasture 399 00:25:29,500 --> 00:25:32,700 Speaker 4: to look for his lost sheep. God is passionate about 400 00:25:32,740 --> 00:25:34,940 Speaker 4: you and will stop at nothing to bring you back 401 00:25:34,980 --> 00:25:38,010 Speaker 4: to him. If this podcast has blessed you, consider leaving 402 00:25:38,070 --> 00:25:40,250 Speaker 4: us a review. We want to hear about how biblical 403 00:25:40,290 --> 00:25:43,890 Speaker 4: storytelling and honest reflection has impacted your walk with Christ. 404 00:25:44,250 --> 00:25:47,159 Speaker 4: And for more inspiring stories, daily devotionals, and wisdom to 405 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:49,399 Speaker 4: last a lifetime, visit Pray.com.