1 00:00:01,030 --> 00:00:05,430 Speaker 1: But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift 2 00:00:05,510 --> 00:00:10,150 Speaker 1: up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, 3 00:00:10,710 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: be merciful to me, a sinner. Dear Lord, you are 4 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:22,240 Speaker 1: a God of mercy. Because of the cross, you have 5 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:28,310 Speaker 1: given countless second chances. We come before you, not as 6 00:00:28,350 --> 00:00:34,980 Speaker 1: self-righteous Christians, but as humble and broken human beings. We 7 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:42,260 Speaker 1: recognize our flaws, shortcomings, and need for mercy. Just as 8 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:45,680 Speaker 1: the tax collector beat his chest in sorrow and begged 9 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:51,909 Speaker 1: for mercy, we come before you with humility. Forgive us, Lord. 10 00:00:53,409 --> 00:00:58,150 Speaker 1: Cleanse us of unrighteousness. Raise us up to a new 11 00:00:58,250 --> 00:01:02,550 Speaker 1: life in you. Empower us to live lives that honor 12 00:01:02,590 --> 00:01:08,190 Speaker 1: you and showcase your glory to the world. We trust 13 00:01:08,230 --> 00:01:11,810 Speaker 1: that you will provide all the strength required to make 14 00:01:11,850 --> 00:01:16,060 Speaker 1: a difference. In Jesus' name we pray. 15 00:01:17,620 --> 00:01:17,900 Speaker 2: Amen. 16 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:23,759 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 17 00:01:23,780 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Remain here to be swept away in 18 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:33,290 Speaker 1: this cinematic retelling of of a parable from Jesus. Follow 19 00:01:33,330 --> 00:01:37,410 Speaker 1: this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. Doing so 20 00:01:37,650 --> 00:01:41,140 Speaker 1: will keep you updated, but also help us get discovered 21 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:44,919 Speaker 1: by more people. We want the story of Jesus to 22 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:49,020 Speaker 1: be known throughout the world. Thanks for making that possible. 23 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:58,230 Speaker 1: Jesus watched the Pharisees closely. They sauntered through the courtyard. 24 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:02,980 Speaker 1: as if their feet didn't churn up dust. He watched 25 00:02:03,020 --> 00:02:05,940 Speaker 1: a group of them scoff at a tax collector. 26 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 3: Traitor! 27 00:02:08,419 --> 00:02:12,970 Speaker 1: They yelled with scowls on their faces. Although their heads 28 00:02:13,169 --> 00:02:17,430 Speaker 1: were turned upward, they couldn't see God. They were too 29 00:02:17,470 --> 00:02:21,690 Speaker 1: consumed with religious superiority to notice what was right in 30 00:02:21,750 --> 00:02:26,730 Speaker 1: front of them. Jesus saw right through their righteous veneer. 31 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:34,310 Speaker 1: He could see their hearts. Sensing Jesus' disapproval, the Pharisees 32 00:02:34,380 --> 00:02:35,690 Speaker 1: turned to Jesus and said. 33 00:02:36,830 --> 00:02:40,889 Speaker 3: What have you got to say about these traitors and sinners, Jesus? 34 00:02:41,650 --> 00:02:43,950 Speaker 3: You're the one who spends time with them. 35 00:02:45,070 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 1: They were baiting him, waiting for him to approve of 36 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:54,260 Speaker 1: their lifestyle. Jesus wouldn't bite. With a glint in his eye, 37 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:57,260 Speaker 1: Jesus stretched out his arm and said. 38 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:01,139 Speaker 4: Let me tell you a story of two men who 39 00:03:01,180 --> 00:03:02,620 Speaker 4: went to the temple to pray. 40 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 5: Here's a chilling verse for you. But God resists the proud, 41 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:13,300 Speaker 5: but gives grace to the humble. James 4.6 God is 42 00:03:13,500 --> 00:03:17,260 Speaker 5: actively working against the proud and pompous. If that doesn't 43 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:20,180 Speaker 5: force us to seek humility, I don't know what will. 44 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 5: This is the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach with Pray.com, and 45 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:28,910 Speaker 5: we've been exploring dramatized parables told by Jesus. This one 46 00:03:28,950 --> 00:03:31,650 Speaker 5: has a special place in my heart. This parable is short, 47 00:03:31,710 --> 00:03:35,910 Speaker 5: but so profound and tender. It's a story about justification, prayer, 48 00:03:36,270 --> 00:03:38,850 Speaker 5: and how we approach God. It's the story of the 49 00:03:38,890 --> 00:03:42,460 Speaker 5: Pharisee and the tax collector. The parable of the Pharisee 50 00:03:42,470 --> 00:03:45,620 Speaker 5: and the tax collector, as narrated by Jesus, pierces through 51 00:03:45,700 --> 00:03:49,300 Speaker 5: the facade of righteousness to reveal the profound truth of 52 00:03:49,340 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 5: God's grace. These two men live totally different lives. On 53 00:03:53,500 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 5: the outside, the Pharisee has his whole life put together. 54 00:03:56,450 --> 00:03:59,450 Speaker 5: But is a put-together, polished and perfect life really what 55 00:03:59,470 --> 00:04:02,090 Speaker 5: God wants for us? Does God need us to be 56 00:04:02,130 --> 00:04:05,070 Speaker 5: perfect in every way? Does he need our lofty prayers 57 00:04:05,140 --> 00:04:08,460 Speaker 5: and our loud acts of righteousness? Or does he simply 58 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 5: need a humble and contrite heart? Let's find out now 59 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:14,980 Speaker 5: in this dramatized parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. 60 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:21,290 Speaker 4: Phineas awoke before the sun could pierce the polished lattice 61 00:04:21,330 --> 00:04:25,030 Speaker 4: of his room. The silken sheets of his cedar bed 62 00:04:25,070 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 4: were perfectly folded. He washed his face three times, once 63 00:04:30,690 --> 00:04:34,110 Speaker 4: to wick, twice to clean, and three for good measure. 64 00:04:35,770 --> 00:04:38,830 Speaker 4: Phineas took a blade to his face, trimming his beard 65 00:04:38,890 --> 00:04:44,669 Speaker 4: to meticulous symmetry. He examined every crease and fold of 66 00:04:44,710 --> 00:04:48,670 Speaker 4: his blue French robe and adjusted the leather amulet on 67 00:04:48,710 --> 00:04:53,070 Speaker 4: his headdress. As the morning rays trickled in through the window, 68 00:04:53,710 --> 00:04:57,940 Speaker 4: Phineas spotted a minor blemish on his mirror. He wiped 69 00:04:57,980 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 4: it away with his thumb, accidentally spreading it across the 70 00:05:01,460 --> 00:05:06,740 Speaker 4: reflection on his face. His eyes twitched and he snarled. 71 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:11,490 Speaker 4: He took a wet rag and scrubbed the mirror incessantly 72 00:05:11,820 --> 00:05:15,630 Speaker 4: until it revealed a perfectly clear image of his trimmed beard, 73 00:05:16,250 --> 00:05:21,010 Speaker 4: centered amulet, and smooth robe. Sighing with relief, he retrieved 74 00:05:21,050 --> 00:05:23,370 Speaker 4: some scrolls from his desk and walked out the door. 75 00:05:24,310 --> 00:05:27,930 Speaker 4: The beauty of the morning escaped Phineas' attentions. He was 76 00:05:28,050 --> 00:05:31,790 Speaker 4: too focused on the muddy beggars and loud merchants lacing 77 00:05:31,830 --> 00:05:34,830 Speaker 4: the pathway between his home and the temple. A few 78 00:05:34,940 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 4: off-duty soldiers stumbled out of taverns and brothels, laughing and. 79 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:40,120 Speaker 2: Tripping onto the floor. 80 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:46,080 Speaker 4: Despicable, he whispered. Phineas' servant weaved through the carts and 81 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:51,390 Speaker 4: beggars and bowed at his feet. You're late, Phineas scolded. 82 00:05:52,690 --> 00:05:56,550 Speaker 4: The Lord rested on the seventh day, not the fourth, Davos. 83 00:05:57,420 --> 00:05:59,720 Speaker 4: If we're going to be about the Lord's work, we 84 00:05:59,740 --> 00:06:03,080 Speaker 4: shall give him the perfection required to glorify him. 85 00:06:03,540 --> 00:06:04,760 Speaker 2: Do you understand? 86 00:06:05,900 --> 00:06:08,340 Speaker 4: The servant bowed in contrition, saying nothing. 87 00:06:09,380 --> 00:06:12,180 Speaker 2: Good, let's be on our way. We have much to 88 00:06:12,220 --> 00:06:15,099 Speaker 2: accomplish before my teaching in the courtyard at high noon. 89 00:06:16,260 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 2: Phineas's path to the temple was a ritual, a performance 90 00:06:19,339 --> 00:06:22,850 Speaker 2: for the pious eyes that lined the cobbled streets, for 91 00:06:22,870 --> 00:06:26,100 Speaker 2: the poor beggars and cripples in town. He bestowed alms 92 00:06:26,140 --> 00:06:29,300 Speaker 2: with a practiced flourish. The clink of coins landing in 93 00:06:29,420 --> 00:06:32,160 Speaker 2: outstretched palms echoed through the marketplace. 94 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:36,430 Speaker 4: To you from the Lord, he would shout for everyone 95 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:39,710 Speaker 4: to hear. Phineas only gave alms to the poor in 96 00:06:39,810 --> 00:06:42,930 Speaker 4: front of the temple so the eyes of other Pharisees 97 00:06:42,970 --> 00:06:47,270 Speaker 4: would be upon him. After his charity performance, Phineas made 98 00:06:47,310 --> 00:06:51,180 Speaker 4: his way to the temple storehouse. His servant carried a 99 00:06:51,210 --> 00:06:54,779 Speaker 4: bag of different sacks, all labeled and weighed to a tee. 100 00:06:55,910 --> 00:06:59,529 Speaker 4: Phineas had measured every ounce of grain, spices, and fruit 101 00:06:59,589 --> 00:07:03,719 Speaker 4: to tie the tenth to the Lord. He also had 102 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,960 Speaker 4: his income tithe in a purple linen sack secured to 103 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:07,539 Speaker 4: his side. 104 00:07:08,660 --> 00:07:12,050 Speaker 2: I have come to give my offering to the Lord. 105 00:07:13,090 --> 00:07:19,050 Speaker 2: Phineas declared for all to hear. spices, fruits, grains, and coins, 106 00:07:19,690 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 2: all for the glory of our God and might of 107 00:07:22,860 --> 00:07:26,020 Speaker 2: the temple. May God be praised. 108 00:07:26,980 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 4: Every act of charity, every mumbled verse, another layer of 109 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:36,700 Speaker 4: righteousness painted upon his already gleaming image. Many were awed 110 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 4: at Phineas' meticulous attention to the law, not seeing the 111 00:07:40,540 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 4: current of anxious energy pulsing beneath the surface. As Phineas 112 00:07:45,780 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 4: left the storehouse towards the Hall of Prayer, a man 113 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 4: bumped into him, knocking the headdress off his head. The 114 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 4: perfectly white material fell into the dust. Phineas seethed in anger. 115 00:07:58,260 --> 00:07:58,740 Speaker 3: Fool! 116 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 4: He yelled. The man before him smelled of stale wine, 117 00:08:03,900 --> 00:08:06,340 Speaker 4: and dark rings hung underneath his eyes. 118 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,420 Speaker 2: If you spent more time praying and less time drinking 119 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:13,520 Speaker 2: all night, you'd be more alert to the people around you. 120 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 2: Selfish fool, I have a sermon to give later today. 121 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 2: Now I may have to return home to clean my headdress. 122 00:08:22,620 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 2: What do you have to say for yourself? 123 00:08:24,620 --> 00:08:27,450 Speaker 4: He shook his head, barely able to utter an apology. I. 124 00:08:31,420 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 4: The man stumbled on his words, flustered and ashamed. Phineas 125 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:37,710 Speaker 4: clenched his jaw and ground his teeth. 126 00:08:38,900 --> 00:08:39,470 Speaker 2: You're what? 127 00:08:40,210 --> 00:08:40,590 Speaker 1: Sorry? 128 00:08:40,610 --> 00:08:45,130 Speaker 2: Sorry? Don't apologize to me. Apologize to the Lord. It's 129 00:08:45,250 --> 00:08:49,270 Speaker 2: him who is angry with you. Look at you. From 130 00:08:49,309 --> 00:08:51,750 Speaker 2: the cut of your robe, you appear to be a 131 00:08:51,830 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 2: tax collector. You still reek from whatever debauchery you were 132 00:08:56,900 --> 00:09:00,900 Speaker 2: steeped in last night. All you tax collectors are the same. 133 00:09:01,900 --> 00:09:04,100 Speaker 2: It's not enough to betray your people, but now you 134 00:09:04,140 --> 00:09:08,090 Speaker 2: must disgrace God by coming to his righteous temple. Scurry 135 00:09:08,130 --> 00:09:10,530 Speaker 2: back to the Romans like the lapdog you are and 136 00:09:10,670 --> 00:09:11,710 Speaker 2: get out of my way! 137 00:09:12,870 --> 00:09:16,490 Speaker 4: Phineas stormed off, scoffing and frantically wiping the dust off 138 00:09:16,530 --> 00:09:19,390 Speaker 4: his headdress. He looked at his reflection in the fountain 139 00:09:19,429 --> 00:09:23,189 Speaker 4: to adjust the amulet. Thank God I am not a 140 00:09:23,230 --> 00:09:27,470 Speaker 4: tax collector. Those men have no idea what judgment awaits them. 141 00:09:28,730 --> 00:09:31,670 Speaker 4: With those words, Phineas scaled the temple steps into the 142 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:35,200 Speaker 4: prayer hall. The sounds of his steps bounced up and 143 00:09:35,260 --> 00:09:38,650 Speaker 4: down the halls, echoing the hollow reality of his heart. 144 00:09:40,150 --> 00:09:43,070 Speaker 4: With his head held high, Phineas marched up the steps 145 00:09:43,290 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 4: and into the prayer hall. The air was thick with 146 00:09:46,059 --> 00:09:50,080 Speaker 4: the smell of incense. Hushed prayers reverberated off the walls. 147 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:59,890 Speaker 4: He breathed in deeply and smiled. This is where I belong, Phineas. 148 00:09:59,940 --> 00:10:03,120 Speaker 4: sighed in relief. He felt comfortable within the temple walls. 149 00:10:03,660 --> 00:10:05,469 Speaker 4: He approached the altar of prayer in the center of 150 00:10:05,510 --> 00:10:09,730 Speaker 4: the hall. Onlookers saw him stand before the Lord. With 151 00:10:09,770 --> 00:10:13,170 Speaker 4: a deep and resonant voice, Phineas prayed for all to hear. 152 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 2: God, I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, 153 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:26,700 Speaker 2: and adulterers. The Pharisee glanced at the tax collector hobbling 154 00:10:26,740 --> 00:10:31,320 Speaker 2: in the corner. His nostrils flared, and he continued to pray. 155 00:10:31,340 --> 00:10:34,140 Speaker 2: And I thank you that I am not like this 156 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 2: tax collector. I fast twice a week, give a tenth 157 00:10:38,570 --> 00:10:41,470 Speaker 2: of all I earn, and seek to obey your law. 158 00:10:42,190 --> 00:10:43,290 Speaker 2: Everyone heard his prayer. 159 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 4: They heard his declaration of righteousness and public display of holiness. 160 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:52,420 Speaker 4: Phineas recited a few more prayers, then left the temple 161 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:58,020 Speaker 4: steps to continue about his day. He left unchanged. Phineas' 162 00:10:58,059 --> 00:11:03,260 Speaker 4: day proceeded as planned, everything neatly in its place. Nothing 163 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:07,959 Speaker 4: remarkable happened to Phineas. He gained nothing in his prayers because, well, 164 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:11,440 Speaker 4: they were not prayers at all. His utterances in the 165 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:15,450 Speaker 4: temple were merely ornaments. like the blue fringes on his 166 00:11:15,490 --> 00:11:19,090 Speaker 4: robe or the amulet on his headdress. Because of this, 167 00:11:19,830 --> 00:11:23,380 Speaker 4: nothing in Phineas' life would ever change, and, well, that 168 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 4: was just how he liked it. The sunlight pierced through 169 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:33,319 Speaker 4: a hole in Simeon's closed curtains. The rays shone in 170 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:38,370 Speaker 4: his face, waking him from his feverish slumber. He awoke 171 00:11:38,420 --> 00:11:42,870 Speaker 4: to a rotten stench of stale wine and regret. The 172 00:11:42,929 --> 00:11:46,390 Speaker 4: remnants of another debauched night with his associates laced the floor. 173 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:50,900 Speaker 4: He propped himself up and rubbed his head. It ached 174 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:53,979 Speaker 4: from lack of sleep, lack of water, and lack of 175 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 4: general care for himself. He propped himself up and surveyed 176 00:11:58,220 --> 00:12:00,720 Speaker 4: the wreckage of his home. His house was filled with 177 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:06,110 Speaker 4: empty coffers, hung over tax collectors, sleeping prostitutes, and crumpled undergarments. 178 00:12:07,309 --> 00:12:09,910 Speaker 4: As he gazed at the scene before him, he felt 179 00:12:09,970 --> 00:12:13,270 Speaker 4: a gnawing hollowness in his heart. a hollowness that he 180 00:12:13,330 --> 00:12:16,189 Speaker 4: knew no amount of gold or pleasure could ever fill. 181 00:12:17,210 --> 00:12:20,110 Speaker 4: Simeon groaned and limped over the people sleeping on the floor. 182 00:12:20,870 --> 00:12:23,290 Speaker 4: He reached the water basin and dunked his head in, 183 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:28,100 Speaker 4: trying to wash away the regret and self-loathing. He took 184 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:30,439 Speaker 4: his head out of the water and looked in the mirror. 185 00:12:31,300 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 4: The water dripped from his unkempt beard, muddying the basin below. 186 00:12:37,140 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 4: Simeon couldn't stand his reflections. Although he was beloved by 187 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 4: the Romans and his fellow tax collectors, he was hated 188 00:12:44,540 --> 00:12:48,500 Speaker 4: by his kin. He betrayed them for a life of extravagance. 189 00:12:49,980 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 4: At the time, Simeon felt he had no choice but 190 00:12:52,300 --> 00:12:55,560 Speaker 4: to become a tax collector. He had lost a drunken wager, 191 00:12:55,870 --> 00:12:59,690 Speaker 4: descended into debt, and lost his way. Turning to the 192 00:12:59,730 --> 00:13:03,170 Speaker 4: Romans was a way out and a way up. Simeon 193 00:13:03,230 --> 00:13:06,290 Speaker 4: later realized that moving up in the world meant moving 194 00:13:06,410 --> 00:13:11,290 Speaker 4: downward in his soul. Memories, sharp as broken glass, sliced 195 00:13:11,350 --> 00:13:15,340 Speaker 4: through his mind. He had exploited so many innocent people. 196 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:20,220 Speaker 4: He had taken advantage of so many families. Every coin 197 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:23,250 Speaker 4: clinking in his pouch echoed with the cries of the poor. 198 00:13:24,350 --> 00:13:26,970 Speaker 4: Every sip of liquor spoke of new sins to come. 199 00:13:27,770 --> 00:13:31,030 Speaker 4: Every touch of silk whispered of stolen innocence. 200 00:13:32,450 --> 00:13:33,910 Speaker 3: Who am I? 201 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,890 Speaker 4: Simeon whispered into the mirror. His guilt was a long 202 00:13:38,970 --> 00:13:42,070 Speaker 4: and festering wound. He needed healing. 203 00:13:43,190 --> 00:13:47,420 Speaker 3: If I repented and returned to God, would he even 204 00:13:47,520 --> 00:13:48,300 Speaker 3: receive me? 205 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:52,620 Speaker 4: Simeon crumpled to the floor and sobbed into his knees. 206 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:57,020 Speaker 4: Shame had grown like weeds in his heart, choking out 207 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:58,339 Speaker 4: hope for a better life. 208 00:14:01,690 --> 00:14:02,650 Speaker 3: Who have I become? 209 00:14:04,090 --> 00:14:06,650 Speaker 4: This was usually when Simeon returned to the bottle to 210 00:14:06,710 --> 00:14:10,490 Speaker 4: drown his regret in more regret. But this time was different. 211 00:14:11,190 --> 00:14:13,990 Speaker 4: The light peeking in through the curtain grew brighter as 212 00:14:14,050 --> 00:14:19,360 Speaker 4: the sun rose, reaching his sobbing cheek. It was as 213 00:14:19,410 --> 00:14:22,500 Speaker 4: if God was reaching out to him, extending a hand 214 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 4: of hope. Simeon was a broken man, but for a 215 00:14:26,340 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 4: brief and divine moment, his resolve to return to God 216 00:14:30,020 --> 00:14:34,250 Speaker 4: was awakened. Simeon ran out the door, The morning sun 217 00:14:34,310 --> 00:14:40,109 Speaker 4: attacked Simeon's eyes. Where are you going, Simeon? One of 218 00:14:40,150 --> 00:14:43,990 Speaker 4: his friends called from inside. There are no tasks for today. 219 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:48,420 Speaker 4: Come back to bed. Everything in Simeon's body ached to 220 00:14:48,460 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 4: be back inside under the covers, but the pain of 221 00:14:51,580 --> 00:14:54,340 Speaker 4: limping in the light was nothing compared to the anguish 222 00:14:54,460 --> 00:14:59,100 Speaker 4: of remaining in darkness. He ignored the voice of temptation 223 00:14:59,440 --> 00:15:01,540 Speaker 4: and hobbled his way up the path towards the temple. 224 00:15:02,680 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 4: Its gleaming white and golden walls shone brilliantly in the distance. 225 00:15:08,100 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 4: It was a beacon of hope, a lighthouse in the 226 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:13,070 Speaker 4: stormy sea that was Simeon's life. 227 00:15:14,900 --> 00:15:20,230 Speaker 3: Will God accept me? Am I worthy of mercy? 228 00:15:21,390 --> 00:15:21,870 Speaker 2: He wondered. 229 00:15:23,110 --> 00:15:25,830 Speaker 4: Every face Simeon passed was a reflection of his sin. 230 00:15:26,550 --> 00:15:29,510 Speaker 4: They scowled at him as he walked. They spat in 231 00:15:29,570 --> 00:15:33,530 Speaker 4: his direction and cursed him as he passed. Tax collectors 232 00:15:33,610 --> 00:15:37,230 Speaker 4: usually had Roman gods assigned to them for protection. That 233 00:15:37,270 --> 00:15:41,970 Speaker 4: is how hated they were by the Jews. Simeon's journey 234 00:15:42,010 --> 00:15:45,210 Speaker 4: to the temple was dangerous in a way. He reached 235 00:15:45,230 --> 00:15:50,210 Speaker 4: the temple steps, legs trembling, and hesitated. Could God ever 236 00:15:50,250 --> 00:15:52,500 Speaker 4: hear the prayers of a soul as black as his? 237 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:56,060 Speaker 4: Just as he took another step forward, he stumbled into 238 00:15:56,100 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 4: a Pharisee and knocked his headdress off. The perfectly white 239 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 4: material fell into the dust. The Pharisee yelled, Fool! Simeon 240 00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:08,750 Speaker 4: looked up at the man. He was adorned in perfectly 241 00:16:08,830 --> 00:16:12,950 Speaker 4: tailored robes, glimmering in the sunshine. He was clearly an 242 00:16:12,990 --> 00:16:16,530 Speaker 4: important man with a busy schedule. Simeon felt the Pharisee's 243 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 4: judgment piercing through his eyes, but it was his words 244 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:21,260 Speaker 4: that stabbed him the most. 245 00:16:22,180 --> 00:16:25,290 Speaker 2: If you spent more time praying and less time drinking 246 00:16:25,350 --> 00:16:28,450 Speaker 2: all night, you'd be more alert to the people around you. 247 00:16:29,170 --> 00:16:32,710 Speaker 2: Selfish fool. I have a sermon to give later today. 248 00:16:32,730 --> 00:16:36,770 Speaker 2: Now I may have to return home to clean my headdress. 249 00:16:37,500 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 2: What do you have to say for yourself? Simeon's lower 250 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:44,120 Speaker 2: lip quivered in shame. Was this a sign that God 251 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 2: didn't want him there? Had he made a mistake in 252 00:16:47,060 --> 00:16:51,150 Speaker 2: coming to the temple? Simeon shook his head, barely able 253 00:16:51,190 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 2: to utter an apology. I... He stumbled on his words, 254 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:03,540 Speaker 2: flustered and ashamed. You're what? Sorry? Don't apologize to me. 255 00:17:04,060 --> 00:17:07,610 Speaker 2: Apologize to the Lord. It's him who is angry with you. 256 00:17:08,630 --> 00:17:09,270 Speaker 3: Look at you. 257 00:17:10,090 --> 00:17:12,649 Speaker 2: From the cut of your robe, you appear to be 258 00:17:12,690 --> 00:17:17,590 Speaker 2: a tax collector. You still reek from whatever debauchery you 259 00:17:17,609 --> 00:17:21,290 Speaker 2: were steeped in last night. All you tax collectors are 260 00:17:21,330 --> 00:17:21,850 Speaker 2: the same. 261 00:17:22,630 --> 00:17:25,690 Speaker 4: The Pharisees stormed off, content to leave Simeon in a 262 00:17:25,750 --> 00:17:29,869 Speaker 4: pool of self-loathing. The broken tax collector looked down at 263 00:17:29,910 --> 00:17:33,210 Speaker 4: his feet. He dared not look up. He couldn't lift 264 00:17:33,260 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 4: his eyes. He wasn't worthy. Although the Pharisee was harsh 265 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:40,780 Speaker 4: in his words, he was right. Simeon's life had spiraled 266 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 4: out of control. 267 00:17:42,320 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 2: He had betrayed his people. 268 00:17:43,859 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 4: Disgrace God and become a lapdog for the Romans. Yet 269 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:49,719 Speaker 4: even dogs could beg at the table of the. 270 00:17:49,700 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 2: Lord, yes? 271 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:54,619 Speaker 4: With his head held low, Simeon marched up the steps 272 00:17:55,060 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 4: and into the prayer hall. The air was thick with 273 00:17:58,080 --> 00:18:01,959 Speaker 4: the smell of incense. Hushed prayers reverberated off the walls. 274 00:18:03,340 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 4: This is no place for someone like me, Simeon thought. 275 00:18:09,619 --> 00:18:14,850 Speaker 3: But if this is where the Lord is, This is 276 00:18:14,910 --> 00:18:15,870 Speaker 3: where I want to be. 277 00:18:17,530 --> 00:18:19,929 Speaker 4: The tax collector found an open space in the corner 278 00:18:19,950 --> 00:18:22,950 Speaker 4: to pray. He didn't want to be seen. 279 00:18:24,130 --> 00:18:25,480 Speaker 2: With his head still low. 280 00:18:26,180 --> 00:18:30,179 Speaker 4: Simeon labored with what to say. His throat tensed and 281 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:31,959 Speaker 4: his heart pounded out of his chest. 282 00:18:32,740 --> 00:18:33,659 Speaker 3: He dared not look up. 283 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:36,860 Speaker 4: He dared not sully the Lord's temple with his gaze. 284 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:41,869 Speaker 4: He strained for words, but nothing would come out. He 285 00:18:41,890 --> 00:18:45,540 Speaker 4: had ignored God for so long. He had neglected his soul. 286 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:49,530 Speaker 4: He felt like a shriveled plant, desperate for one drop 287 00:18:49,570 --> 00:18:54,889 Speaker 4: of rain. He whispered. His voice barely broke through the 288 00:18:55,010 --> 00:18:58,350 Speaker 4: echoing hymns and prayers of the people beside him. His 289 00:18:58,390 --> 00:19:04,220 Speaker 4: face trembled, holding his tears back. The dam holding back 290 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:09,160 Speaker 4: his sorrow cracked each time he began his prayer. Finally, 291 00:19:09,740 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 4: he beat his chest and gritted his teeth. 292 00:19:13,730 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 3: God have mercy on me. A sinner. 293 00:19:19,619 --> 00:19:22,699 Speaker 4: That's when the dam finally broke. Years of shame and 294 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:26,740 Speaker 4: sorrow burst out of him. Tears fell onto the polished 295 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:31,220 Speaker 4: stone floor. He confessed his sins, not with grand pronouncements, 296 00:19:31,740 --> 00:19:37,030 Speaker 4: but with raw, broken sobs. Although short and silent, his 297 00:19:37,140 --> 00:19:40,250 Speaker 4: prayer reverberated into heaven's halls. 298 00:19:41,900 --> 00:19:43,700 Speaker 1: Jesus gestured to the Pharisees. 299 00:19:45,380 --> 00:19:48,629 Speaker 4: Both these men stood before God in prayer, but I 300 00:19:48,690 --> 00:19:52,180 Speaker 4: tell you, the task is over. collector went home justified 301 00:19:52,359 --> 00:19:53,080 Speaker 4: before God. 302 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:57,950 Speaker 1: The crowd stirred at the idea of a tax collector 303 00:19:58,330 --> 00:20:04,290 Speaker 1: receiving favor before a Pharisee. Yet Jesus was resolute in 304 00:20:04,330 --> 00:20:08,879 Speaker 1: his point. He stepped toward the Pharisees, pleading with them. 305 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:12,959 Speaker 1: to see the error of their ways. Their hearts had 306 00:20:12,980 --> 00:20:15,960 Speaker 1: been corrupted by pride and self-reliance. 307 00:20:17,090 --> 00:20:21,290 Speaker 4: Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled, but whoever humbles themselves 308 00:20:22,070 --> 00:20:23,010 Speaker 4: will be exalted. 309 00:20:26,410 --> 00:20:31,250 Speaker 5: Phineas, adorned in his meticulous attire, represents an all-too-familiar posture 310 00:20:31,270 --> 00:20:35,110 Speaker 5: in our spiritual walk, the external adherence to religious practice 311 00:20:35,530 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 5: while the heart remains distant and neglected. His prayers, filled 312 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:43,659 Speaker 5: with self-congratulation and comparison, echo the hollow sound of pride. 313 00:20:44,020 --> 00:20:47,879 Speaker 5: In his certainty of his superiority, Phineas misses the essence 314 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:52,200 Speaker 5: of true righteousness, which is a relationship with God, grounded 315 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:56,149 Speaker 5: in humility and love. As we reflect on Phineas' approach 316 00:20:56,190 --> 00:20:59,450 Speaker 5: to God, we are invited to examine our own hearts. 317 00:21:00,010 --> 00:21:03,950 Speaker 5: How often do we measure our own spirituality by external markers, 318 00:21:04,010 --> 00:21:07,430 Speaker 5: comparing ourselves to others to affirm our standing before God? 319 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:11,780 Speaker 5: The danger of self-righteousness in comparison is that it blinds 320 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 5: us to our own need of God's grace, leading us 321 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:17,060 Speaker 5: to trust in our own deeds rather than God's mercy. 322 00:21:17,580 --> 00:21:20,910 Speaker 5: Contrast that with Simeon's journey to the temple. His journey 323 00:21:20,950 --> 00:21:23,510 Speaker 5: is marked by an awareness of his brokenness and a 324 00:21:23,590 --> 00:21:27,929 Speaker 5: desperate longing for God's forgiveness. His prayer, simple yet profound, 325 00:21:28,010 --> 00:21:31,609 Speaker 5: God be merciful to me, a sinner, captures the essence 326 00:21:31,650 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 5: of a heart truly seeking God. Simeon's humility allows him 327 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:38,600 Speaker 5: to recognize his need for God's grace. setting the stage 328 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:42,740 Speaker 5: for genuine transformation. Because there can be no genuine change 329 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:46,100 Speaker 5: in our lives, no genuine transformation of the soul, unless 330 00:21:46,140 --> 00:21:50,109 Speaker 5: we first recognized our need for God. In Simeon's tearful plea, 331 00:21:50,170 --> 00:21:52,649 Speaker 5: we find the courage to confront our own sins and 332 00:21:52,730 --> 00:21:55,550 Speaker 5: grace to approach God with a humble heart. This story 333 00:21:55,590 --> 00:21:58,430 Speaker 5: should give us boldness that it doesn't matter what we've done. 334 00:21:58,630 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 5: What matters is how we bring ourselves to God in 335 00:22:01,130 --> 00:22:04,119 Speaker 5: humility and what we do after we've come before him. 336 00:22:04,450 --> 00:22:07,730 Speaker 5: His prayer reminds us that our righteousness doesn't earn God's 337 00:22:07,810 --> 00:22:10,770 Speaker 5: love and mercy. Those things are freely given to those 338 00:22:10,790 --> 00:22:13,750 Speaker 5: who recognize their need for him. We're also stricken by 339 00:22:13,790 --> 00:22:16,670 Speaker 5: the posture of Phineas. He's so confident and arrogant when 340 00:22:16,710 --> 00:22:20,140 Speaker 5: he speaks to God. A passage from Ecclesiastes comes to mind. 341 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:22,620 Speaker 5: Listen to the words of Solomon when he talks about 342 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:25,480 Speaker 5: approaching God. Guard your steps when you go to the 343 00:22:25,500 --> 00:22:28,620 Speaker 5: house of God. Go near and listen rather than offer 344 00:22:28,680 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 5: sacrifice of fools who do not know that they've done 345 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:38,470 Speaker 5: anything wrong. Ecclesiastes 5.1 Intimate and transformative prayer requires two things. One, 346 00:22:38,650 --> 00:22:42,020 Speaker 5: it requires an awareness of God. And two, it requires 347 00:22:42,060 --> 00:22:45,640 Speaker 5: an awareness of self. So first, it requires an awareness 348 00:22:45,680 --> 00:22:49,320 Speaker 5: of God. We must realize God's vastness, holiness, and power 349 00:22:49,380 --> 00:22:52,320 Speaker 5: when we approach Him in prayer. Jesus reminds us that 350 00:22:52,359 --> 00:22:56,649 Speaker 5: our prayer should begin with recognizing God's righteousness. Hallowed be 351 00:22:56,690 --> 00:22:59,409 Speaker 5: thy name. God is our friend and our counselor, but 352 00:22:59,450 --> 00:23:00,270 Speaker 5: He's still God. 353 00:23:00,450 --> 00:23:01,070 Speaker 3: He's holy. 354 00:23:01,150 --> 00:23:04,409 Speaker 5: He's righteous. He's apart from us. He's not your homeboy 355 00:23:04,510 --> 00:23:07,490 Speaker 5: or your buddy. He's the Lord of all creation, and 356 00:23:07,550 --> 00:23:11,970 Speaker 5: he should be approached with reverence, respect, and awe. This 357 00:23:12,030 --> 00:23:14,950 Speaker 5: leads to our second step to intimate and transformative prayer, 358 00:23:15,369 --> 00:23:18,790 Speaker 5: and that's awareness of self. The Pharisee approached God like 359 00:23:18,830 --> 00:23:21,510 Speaker 5: a fool. He didn't take any time to reflect or 360 00:23:21,550 --> 00:23:24,040 Speaker 5: consider the state of his own heart. If he did, 361 00:23:24,380 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 5: he would have realized how arrogant and vain he was. 362 00:23:27,160 --> 00:23:30,280 Speaker 5: God wants us to approach him boldly, but not arrogantly. 363 00:23:30,660 --> 00:23:33,399 Speaker 5: The Apostle Paul set a great example for us. He 364 00:23:33,460 --> 00:23:36,220 Speaker 5: accomplished a lot in the kingdom of God, but it 365 00:23:36,260 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 5: never got. 366 00:23:36,660 --> 00:23:37,180 Speaker 3: To his head. 367 00:23:37,619 --> 00:23:40,540 Speaker 5: He often described himself as a wretch, ignorant, or the 368 00:23:40,560 --> 00:23:43,570 Speaker 5: chief of sinners. He knew that compared to God, he 369 00:23:43,609 --> 00:23:46,629 Speaker 5: was nothing. The tax collector had a healthy view of 370 00:23:46,690 --> 00:23:47,869 Speaker 5: where he stood before God. 371 00:23:48,350 --> 00:23:48,990 Speaker 2: He knew that. 372 00:23:48,930 --> 00:23:52,130 Speaker 5: God was the Holy One, not him. Jesus concludes this 373 00:23:52,190 --> 00:23:56,720 Speaker 5: parable with a powerful declaration. The tax collector, not the Pharisee, 374 00:23:57,060 --> 00:24:01,980 Speaker 5: went home justified before God. This truth challenges our perceptions 375 00:24:02,060 --> 00:24:04,920 Speaker 5: of worthiness and invites us to embrace humility as a 376 00:24:04,960 --> 00:24:08,959 Speaker 5: pathway to God's heart. Justification is not a reward for righteousness, 377 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:11,260 Speaker 5: but a gift of grace to those who humbly seek 378 00:24:11,300 --> 00:24:14,520 Speaker 5: God's mercy. As we ponder the lives of Phineas and Simeon, 379 00:24:14,619 --> 00:24:17,460 Speaker 5: let us be reminded that our prayers are not performances 380 00:24:17,520 --> 00:24:21,240 Speaker 5: for divine approval, but expressions of our reliance on God's 381 00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:24,720 Speaker 5: boundless mercy. May we, like the tax collector, come to 382 00:24:24,760 --> 00:24:28,320 Speaker 5: God with hearts open and broken, trusting that His grace 383 00:24:28,460 --> 00:24:32,609 Speaker 5: is sufficient for us. Today, let's choose the path of humility, 384 00:24:32,770 --> 00:24:36,409 Speaker 5: recognizing our constant need for God's grace. May our prayers 385 00:24:36,490 --> 00:24:39,590 Speaker 5: reflect a genuine relationship with God, grounded not in our 386 00:24:39,630 --> 00:24:42,929 Speaker 5: own righteousness but in His mercy. Let us embrace the 387 00:24:42,990 --> 00:24:45,470 Speaker 5: truth that we are all in need of forgiveness and 388 00:24:45,490 --> 00:24:47,889 Speaker 5: that our humble reliance on God is what truly defines 389 00:24:47,930 --> 00:24:51,409 Speaker 5: our righteousness. If we can approach God in humility, we 390 00:24:51,450 --> 00:24:55,630 Speaker 5: can actually bring our authentic selves before Him. not masking 391 00:24:55,690 --> 00:24:59,209 Speaker 5: our problems, not shying away from our sins, but humbly 392 00:24:59,250 --> 00:25:02,710 Speaker 5: acknowledging our weakness before him and then allowing his grace 393 00:25:02,750 --> 00:25:05,970 Speaker 5: to have its transformative effect in our lives. There can 394 00:25:06,050 --> 00:25:09,619 Speaker 5: be no change without humility. May the story of the 395 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:12,200 Speaker 5: Pharisee and the tax collector inspire us to live hearts 396 00:25:12,260 --> 00:25:15,040 Speaker 5: attuned to God's mercy, walking the journey of faith with 397 00:25:15,100 --> 00:25:19,560 Speaker 5: humility and love. I'm going to confess something. Tomorrow's episode 398 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:21,980 Speaker 5: is one of my favorites that we've done so far. 399 00:25:22,550 --> 00:25:26,350 Speaker 5: It's about God's devotion and courageous love for us, exemplified 400 00:25:26,410 --> 00:25:29,270 Speaker 5: in how a shepherd leaves the safety of his pasture 401 00:25:29,510 --> 00:25:32,710 Speaker 5: to look for his lost sheep. God is passionate about 402 00:25:32,730 --> 00:25:34,950 Speaker 5: you and will stop at nothing to bring you back 403 00:25:34,990 --> 00:25:38,010 Speaker 5: to him. If this podcast has blessed you, consider leaving 404 00:25:38,070 --> 00:25:40,250 Speaker 5: us a review. We want to hear about how biblical 405 00:25:40,290 --> 00:25:43,869 Speaker 5: storytelling and honest reflection has impacted your walk with Christ. 406 00:25:44,250 --> 00:25:47,149 Speaker 5: And for more inspiring stories, daily devotionals, and wisdom to 407 00:25:47,190 --> 00:25:49,389 Speaker 5: last a lifetime, visit Pray.com.