1 00:00:01,010 --> 00:00:05,430 Speaker 1: But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift 2 00:00:05,490 --> 00:00:10,160 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 --> 00:00:42,260 Speaker 1: recognize our flaws, shortcomings, and need for mercy. Just as 8 00:00:42,300 --> 00:00:45,659 Speaker 1: the tax collector beat his chest in sorrow and begged 9 00:00:45,740 --> 00:00:51,879 Speaker 1: for mercy, we come before you with humility. Forgive us, Lord. 10 00:00:53,380 --> 00:00:58,120 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 --> 00:01:08,179 Speaker 1: you and showcase your glory to the world. We trust 13 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:11,800 Speaker 1: that you will provide all the strength required to make 14 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:21,030 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 --> 00:01:29,510 Speaker 1: Remain here to be swept away in this cinematic retelling 17 00:01:29,530 --> 00:01:34,380 Speaker 1: process of a parable from Jesus. Follow this podcast on 18 00:01:34,450 --> 00:01:38,700 Speaker 1: whatever platform you're listening to. Doing so will keep you updated, 19 00:01:38,940 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: but also help us get discovered by more people. We 20 00:01:43,140 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 1: want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world. 21 00:01:47,330 --> 00:01:54,610 Speaker 1: Thanks for making that possible. Jesus watched the Pharisees closely. 22 00:01:56,430 --> 00:01:59,700 Speaker 1: They sauntered through the courtyard. as if their feet didn't 23 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:04,580 Speaker 1: churn up dust. He watched a group of them scoff 24 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:05,920 Speaker 1: at a tax collector. 25 00:02:07,060 --> 00:02:07,710 Speaker 2: Traitor! 26 00:02:08,410 --> 00:02:12,950 Speaker 1: They yelled with scowls on their faces. Although their heads 27 00:02:13,150 --> 00:02:17,410 Speaker 1: were turned upward, they couldn't see God. They were too 28 00:02:17,450 --> 00:02:21,669 Speaker 1: consumed with religious superiority to notice what was right in 29 00:02:21,730 --> 00:02:26,710 Speaker 1: front of them. Jesus saw right through their righteous veneer. 30 00:02:28,180 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 1: He could see their hearts. Sensing Jesus' disapproval, the Pharisees 31 00:02:34,370 --> 00:02:35,669 Speaker 1: turned to Jesus and said. 32 00:02:36,810 --> 00:02:40,869 Speaker 3: What have you got to say about these traitors and sinners, Jesus? 33 00:02:41,650 --> 00:02:43,950 Speaker 3: You're the one who spends time with them. 34 00:02:45,050 --> 00:02:48,140 Speaker 1: They were baiting him, waiting for him to approve of 35 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 1: their lifestyle. Jesus wouldn't bite. With a glint in his eye, 36 00:02:55,100 --> 00:02:57,260 Speaker 1: Jesus stretched out his arm and said. 37 00:02:58,860 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 4: Let me tell you a story of two men who 38 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 4: went to the temple to pray. 39 00:03:04,940 --> 00:03:08,579 Speaker 5: Here's a chilling verse for you. But God resists the proud, 40 00:03:08,860 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 5: but gives grace to the humble. James 4.6 God is 41 00:03:13,480 --> 00:03:17,250 Speaker 5: actively working against the proud and pompous. If that doesn't 42 00:03:17,340 --> 00:03:20,169 Speaker 5: force us to seek humility, I don't know what will. 43 00:03:20,950 --> 00:03:25,010 Speaker 5: This is the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach with Pray.com, and 44 00:03:25,030 --> 00:03:28,889 Speaker 5: we've been exploring dramatized parables told by Jesus. This one 45 00:03:28,930 --> 00:03:31,630 Speaker 5: has a special place in my heart. This parable is short, 46 00:03:31,690 --> 00:03:35,900 Speaker 5: but so profound and tender. It's a story about justification, prayer, 47 00:03:36,250 --> 00:03:38,860 Speaker 5: and how we approach God. It's the story of the 48 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 5: Pharisee and the tax collector. The parable of the Pharisee 49 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:45,620 Speaker 5: and the tax collector, as narrated by Jesus, pierces through 50 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 5: the facade of righteousness to reveal the profound truth of 51 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:53,460 Speaker 5: God's grace. These two men live totally different lives. On 52 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:55,990 Speaker 5: the outside, the Pharisee has his whole life put together. 53 00:03:56,430 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 5: But is a put-together, polished and perfect life really what 54 00:03:59,460 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 5: God wants for us? Does God need us to be 55 00:04:02,140 --> 00:04:05,060 Speaker 5: perfect in every way? Does he need our lofty prayers 56 00:04:05,140 --> 00:04:08,440 Speaker 5: and our loud acts of righteousness? Or does he simply 57 00:04:08,500 --> 00:04:11,660 Speaker 5: need a humble and contrite heart? Let's find out now 58 00:04:11,980 --> 00:04:14,970 Speaker 5: in this dramatized parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. 59 00:04:17,390 --> 00:04:21,270 Speaker 4: Phineas awoke before the sun could pierce the polished lattice 60 00:04:21,310 --> 00:04:25,030 Speaker 4: of his room. The silken sheets of his cedar bed 61 00:04:25,070 --> 00:04:30,630 Speaker 4: were perfectly folded. He washed his face three times, once 62 00:04:30,670 --> 00:04:34,089 Speaker 4: to wick, twice to clean, and three for good measure. 63 00:04:35,750 --> 00:04:38,830 Speaker 4: Phineas took a blade to his face, trimming his beard 64 00:04:38,870 --> 00:04:44,650 Speaker 4: to meticulous symmetry. He examined every crease and fold of 65 00:04:44,690 --> 00:04:48,650 Speaker 4: his blue French robe and adjusted the leather amulet on 66 00:04:48,690 --> 00:04:53,050 Speaker 4: his headdress. As the morning rays trickled in through the window, 67 00:04:53,690 --> 00:04:57,920 Speaker 4: Phineas spotted a minor blemish on his mirror. He wiped 68 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,419 Speaker 4: it away with his thumb, accidentally spreading it across the 69 00:05:01,460 --> 00:05:06,730 Speaker 4: reflection on his face. His eyes twitched and he snarled. 70 00:05:08,270 --> 00:05:11,469 Speaker 4: He took a wet rag and scrubbed the mirror incessantly 71 00:05:11,810 --> 00:05:15,630 Speaker 4: until it revealed a perfectly clear image of his trimmed beard, 72 00:05:16,230 --> 00:05:21,010 Speaker 4: centered amulet, and smooth robe. Sighing with relief, he retrieved 73 00:05:21,050 --> 00:05:23,350 Speaker 4: some scrolls from his desk and walked out the door. 74 00:05:24,290 --> 00:05:27,910 Speaker 4: The beauty of the morning escaped Phineas' attentions. He was 75 00:05:28,029 --> 00:05:31,779 Speaker 4: too focused on the muddy beggars and loud merchants lacing 76 00:05:31,820 --> 00:05:34,820 Speaker 4: the pathway between his home and the temple. A few 77 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:38,979 Speaker 4: off-duty soldiers stumbled out of taverns and brothels, laughing and 78 00:05:39,060 --> 00:05:40,100 Speaker 4: tripping onto the floor. 79 00:05:40,700 --> 00:05:42,840 Speaker 2: Despicable, he whispered. 80 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:47,210 Speaker 4: Phineas' servant weaved through the carts and beggars and bowed 81 00:05:47,250 --> 00:05:53,670 Speaker 4: at his feet. You're late, Phineas scolded. The Lord rested 82 00:05:53,730 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 4: on the seventh day, not the fourth, Davos. If we're 83 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:00,220 Speaker 4: going to be about the Lord's work, we shall give 84 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:04,740 Speaker 4: him the perfection required to glorify him. Do you understand? 85 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 4: The servant bowed in contrition, saying nothing. 86 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 2: Good, let's be on our way. We have much to 87 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 2: accomplish before my teaching in the courtyard at high noon. 88 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:19,260 Speaker 2: Phineas's path to the temple was a ritual, a performance 89 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,830 Speaker 2: for the pious eyes that lined the cobbled streets, for 90 00:06:22,870 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 2: the poor beggars and cripples in town. He bestowed alms 91 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:29,289 Speaker 2: with a practiced flourish. The clink of coins landing in 92 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,150 Speaker 2: outstretched palms echoed through the marketplace. 93 00:06:32,790 --> 00:06:36,409 Speaker 4: To you from the Lord, he would shout for everyone 94 00:06:36,430 --> 00:06:39,690 Speaker 4: to hear. Phineas only gave alms to the poor in 95 00:06:39,790 --> 00:06:42,919 Speaker 4: front of the temple so the eyes of other Pharisees 96 00:06:42,950 --> 00:06:47,260 Speaker 4: would be upon him. After his charity performance, Phineas made 97 00:06:47,300 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 4: his way to the temple storehouse. His servant carried a 98 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 4: bag of different sacks, all labeled and weighed to a tee. 99 00:06:55,890 --> 00:06:59,510 Speaker 4: Phineas had measured every ounce of grain, spices, and fruit 100 00:06:59,589 --> 00:07:03,700 Speaker 4: to tie the tenth to the Lord. He also had 101 00:07:03,740 --> 00:07:06,940 Speaker 4: his income tithe in a purple linen sack secured to 102 00:07:06,980 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 4: his side. 103 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:12,030 Speaker 2: I have come to give my offering to the Lord. 104 00:07:13,070 --> 00:07:19,030 Speaker 2: Phineas declared for all to hear. spices, fruits, grains, and coins, 105 00:07:19,690 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 2: all for the glory of our God and might of 106 00:07:22,830 --> 00:07:28,360 Speaker 2: the temple. May God be praised. Every act of charity, 107 00:07:28,700 --> 00:07:32,820 Speaker 2: every mumbled verse, another layer of righteousness painted upon his 108 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:38,820 Speaker 2: already gleaming image. Many were awed at Phineas' meticulous attention 109 00:07:38,860 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 2: to the law, not seeing the current of anxious energy 110 00:07:42,180 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 2: pulsing beneath the surface. As Phineas left the storehouse towards 111 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:50,020 Speaker 2: the Hall of Prayer, a man bumped into him, knocking 112 00:07:50,060 --> 00:07:54,040 Speaker 2: the headdress off his head. The perfectly white material fell 113 00:07:54,080 --> 00:08:00,050 Speaker 2: into the dust. Phineas seethed in anger. Fool! he yelled. 114 00:08:01,230 --> 00:08:04,350 Speaker 4: The man before him smelled of stale wine, and dark 115 00:08:04,470 --> 00:08:06,290 Speaker 4: rings hung underneath his eyes. 116 00:08:07,310 --> 00:08:10,410 Speaker 2: If you spent more time praying and less time drinking 117 00:08:10,470 --> 00:08:13,570 Speaker 2: all night, you'd be more alert to the people around you. 118 00:08:14,300 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 2: Selfish fool. I have a sermon to give later today. 119 00:08:17,860 --> 00:08:21,900 Speaker 2: Now I may have to return home to clean my headdress. 120 00:08:22,620 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 2: What do you have to say for yourself? 121 00:08:24,620 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 4: He shook his head, barely able to utter an apology. I. 122 00:08:31,430 --> 00:08:35,630 Speaker 4: The man stumbled on his words, flustered and ashamed. Phineas 123 00:08:35,750 --> 00:08:37,689 Speaker 4: clenched his jaw and ground his teeth. 124 00:08:38,890 --> 00:08:39,430 Speaker 2: You're what? 125 00:08:40,190 --> 00:08:40,610 Speaker 3: Sorry? 126 00:08:41,210 --> 00:08:45,490 Speaker 2: Don't apologize to me. Apologize to the Lord. It's him 127 00:08:45,590 --> 00:08:49,370 Speaker 2: who is angry with you. Look at you. From the 128 00:08:49,490 --> 00:08:52,730 Speaker 2: cut of your robe, you appear to be a tax collector. 129 00:08:53,530 --> 00:08:57,390 Speaker 2: You still reek from whatever debauchery you were steeped in 130 00:08:57,429 --> 00:09:01,990 Speaker 2: last night. All you tax collectors are the same. It's 131 00:09:02,050 --> 00:09:04,250 Speaker 2: not enough to betray your people, but now you must 132 00:09:04,290 --> 00:09:08,270 Speaker 2: disgrace God by coming to his righteous temple. Scurry back 133 00:09:08,309 --> 00:09:10,829 Speaker 2: to the Romans like the lapdog you are and get 134 00:09:10,929 --> 00:09:11,710 Speaker 2: out of my way. 135 00:09:12,870 --> 00:09:16,490 Speaker 4: Phineas stormed off, scoffing and frantically wiping the dust off 136 00:09:16,510 --> 00:09:19,370 Speaker 4: his headdress. He looked at his reflection in the fountain 137 00:09:19,410 --> 00:09:20,550 Speaker 4: to adjust the amulet. 138 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 2: Thank God I am not a tax collector. Those men 139 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:29,380 Speaker 2: have no idea what judgment awaits them. With those words. 140 00:09:29,770 --> 00:09:32,750 Speaker 4: Phineas scaled the temple steps into the prayer hall. The 141 00:09:32,790 --> 00:09:35,950 Speaker 4: sounds of his steps bounced up and down the halls, 142 00:09:36,610 --> 00:09:40,650 Speaker 4: echoing the hollow reality of his heart. With his head 143 00:09:40,690 --> 00:09:43,910 Speaker 4: held high, Phineas marched up the steps and into the 144 00:09:43,929 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 4: prayer hall. The air was thick with the smell of incense. 145 00:09:47,940 --> 00:09:52,380 Speaker 4: Hushed prayers reverberated off the walls. He breathed in deeply 146 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:58,020 Speaker 4: and smiled. This is where I belong. 147 00:09:59,580 --> 00:09:59,870 Speaker 2: Phineas. 148 00:09:59,940 --> 00:10:03,100 Speaker 4: Sighed in relief he felt comfortable within the temple walls 149 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:05,449 Speaker 4: he approached the altar of prayer in the center of 150 00:10:05,490 --> 00:10:09,710 Speaker 4: the hall onlookers saw him stand before the lord with 151 00:10:09,750 --> 00:10:12,910 Speaker 4: a deep and resonant voice phineas prayed for all to 152 00:10:12,950 --> 00:10:18,400 Speaker 4: hear God, I thank you that I am not like 153 00:10:18,700 --> 00:10:25,420 Speaker 4: other people, robbers, evildoers, and adulterers. The Pharisee glanced at 154 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 4: the tax collector, hobbling in the corner. His nostrils flared, 155 00:10:29,660 --> 00:10:31,300 Speaker 4: and he continued to pray. 156 00:10:31,330 --> 00:10:34,110 Speaker 2: And I thank you that I am not like this 157 00:10:34,390 --> 00:10:38,510 Speaker 2: tax collector. I fast twice a week, give a tenth 158 00:10:38,550 --> 00:10:41,449 Speaker 2: of all I earn, and seek to obey your law. 159 00:10:42,170 --> 00:10:43,290 Speaker 2: Everyone heard his prayer. 160 00:10:43,900 --> 00:10:47,780 Speaker 4: They heard his declaration of righteousness and public display of holiness. 161 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 4: Phineas recited a few more prayers, then left the temple 162 00:10:52,420 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 4: steps to continue about his day. He left unchanged. Phineas' 163 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:03,250 Speaker 4: day proceeded as planned, everything neatly in its place. Nothing 164 00:11:03,300 --> 00:11:07,949 Speaker 4: remarkable happened to Phineas. He gained nothing in his prayers because, well, 165 00:11:08,870 --> 00:11:11,430 Speaker 4: they were not prayers at all. His utterances in the 166 00:11:11,470 --> 00:11:15,430 Speaker 4: temple were merely ornaments. like the blue fringes on his 167 00:11:15,490 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 4: robe or the amulet on his headdress. Because of this, 168 00:11:19,820 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 4: nothing in Phineas' life would ever change, and, well, that 169 00:11:23,380 --> 00:11:29,459 Speaker 4: was just how he liked it. The sunlight pierced through 170 00:11:29,500 --> 00:11:33,309 Speaker 4: a hole in Simeon's closed curtains. The rays shone in 171 00:11:33,350 --> 00:11:38,350 Speaker 4: his face, waking him from his feverish slumber. He awoke 172 00:11:38,410 --> 00:11:42,880 Speaker 4: to a rotten stench of stale wine and regret. The 173 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:46,400 Speaker 4: remnants of another debauched night with his associates laced the floor. 174 00:11:47,420 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 4: He propped himself up and rubbed his head. It ached 175 00:11:50,940 --> 00:11:53,959 Speaker 4: from lack of sleep, lack of water, and lack of 176 00:11:54,020 --> 00:11:58,170 Speaker 4: general care for himself. He propped himself up and surveyed 177 00:11:58,210 --> 00:12:00,710 Speaker 4: the wreckage of his home. His house was filled with 178 00:12:00,790 --> 00:12:06,090 Speaker 4: empty coffers, hung over tax collectors, sleeping prostitutes, and crumpled undergarments. 179 00:12:07,290 --> 00:12:09,890 Speaker 4: As he gazed at the scene before him, he felt 180 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:13,250 Speaker 4: a gnawing hollowness in his heart, a hollowness that he 181 00:12:13,309 --> 00:12:16,189 Speaker 4: knew no amount of gold or pleasure could ever fill. 182 00:12:17,210 --> 00:12:20,110 Speaker 4: Simeon groaned and limped over the people sleeping on the floor. 183 00:12:20,870 --> 00:12:23,290 Speaker 4: He reached the water basin and dunked his head in, 184 00:12:23,820 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 4: trying to wash away the regret and self-loathing. He took 185 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:30,439 Speaker 4: his head out of the water and looked in the mirror. 186 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 4: The water dripped from his unkempt beard, muddying the basin below. 187 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:41,340 Speaker 4: Simeon couldn't stand his reflections. Although he was beloved by 188 00:12:41,380 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 4: the Romans and his fellow tax collectors, he was hated 189 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:48,490 Speaker 4: by his kin. He betrayed them for a life of extravagance. 190 00:12:49,970 --> 00:12:52,270 Speaker 4: At the time, Simeon felt he had no choice but 191 00:12:52,290 --> 00:12:55,550 Speaker 4: to become a tax collector. He had lost a drunken wager, 192 00:12:55,850 --> 00:12:59,670 Speaker 4: descended into debt, and lost his way. Turning to the 193 00:12:59,710 --> 00:13:03,150 Speaker 4: Romans was a way out and a way up. Simeon 194 00:13:03,210 --> 00:13:06,290 Speaker 4: later realized that moving up in the world meant moving 195 00:13:06,390 --> 00:13:11,270 Speaker 4: downward in his soul. Memories, sharp as broken glass, sliced 196 00:13:11,330 --> 00:13:15,310 Speaker 4: through his mind. He had exploited so many innocent people. 197 00:13:16,090 --> 00:13:20,220 Speaker 4: He had taken advantage of so many families. Every coin 198 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:23,220 Speaker 4: clinking in his pouch echoed with the cries of the poor. 199 00:13:24,340 --> 00:13:26,959 Speaker 4: Every sip of liquor spoke of new sins to come. 200 00:13:27,740 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 4: Every touch of silk whispered of stolen innocence. Who am I? 201 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:38,890 Speaker 4: Simeon whispered into the mirror. His guilt was a long 202 00:13:38,950 --> 00:13:42,070 Speaker 4: and festering wound. He needed healing. 203 00:13:43,170 --> 00:13:47,460 Speaker 3: If I repented and returned to God, would he even 204 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:48,280 Speaker 3: receive me? 205 00:13:49,460 --> 00:13:52,600 Speaker 4: Simeon crumpled to the floor and sobbed into his knees. 206 00:13:53,540 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 4: Shame had grown like weeds in his heart, choking out 207 00:13:57,110 --> 00:13:58,329 Speaker 4: hope for a better life. 208 00:14:01,690 --> 00:14:02,630 Speaker 3: Who have I become? 209 00:14:04,070 --> 00:14:06,650 Speaker 4: This was usually when Simeon returned to the bottle to 210 00:14:06,710 --> 00:14:10,470 Speaker 4: drown his regret in more regret. But this time was different. 211 00:14:11,170 --> 00:14:13,970 Speaker 4: The light peeking in through the curtain grew brighter as 212 00:14:14,030 --> 00:14:19,330 Speaker 4: the sun rose, reaching his sobbing cheek. It was as 213 00:14:19,390 --> 00:14:22,470 Speaker 4: if God was reaching out to him, extending a hand 214 00:14:22,530 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 4: of hope. Simeon was a broken man, but for a 215 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:29,910 Speaker 4: brief and divine moment, his resolve to return to God 216 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:34,250 Speaker 4: was awakened. Simeon ran out the door, The morning sun 217 00:14:34,290 --> 00:14:40,100 Speaker 4: attacked Simeon's eyes. Where are you going, Simeon? One of 218 00:14:40,140 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 4: his friends called from inside. There are no tasks for today. 219 00:14:44,700 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 4: Come back to bed. Everything in Simeon's body ached to 220 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:51,470 Speaker 4: be back inside under the covers, but the pain of 221 00:14:51,570 --> 00:14:54,330 Speaker 4: limping in the light was nothing compared to the anguish 222 00:14:54,450 --> 00:14:59,090 Speaker 4: of remaining in darkness. He ignored the voice of temptation 223 00:14:59,430 --> 00:15:01,550 Speaker 4: and hobbled his way up the path towards the temples. 224 00:15:02,670 --> 00:15:06,930 Speaker 4: Its gleaming white and golden walls shone brilliantly in the distance. 225 00:15:08,090 --> 00:15:10,790 Speaker 4: It was a beacon of hope, a lighthouse in the 226 00:15:10,910 --> 00:15:13,060 Speaker 4: stormy sea that was Simeon's life. 227 00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 1: Will God accept me? 228 00:15:18,680 --> 00:15:20,180 Speaker 3: 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 4: Every face Simeon passed was a reflection of his sin. 231 00:15:26,550 --> 00:15:29,510 Speaker 4: They scowled at him as he walked. They spat in 232 00:15:29,570 --> 00:15:33,510 Speaker 4: his direction and cursed him as he passed. Tax collectors 233 00:15:33,590 --> 00:15:37,210 Speaker 4: usually had Roman gods assigned to them for protection. That 234 00:15:37,250 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 4: is how hated they were by the Jews. Simeon's journey 235 00:15:42,010 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 4: to the temple was dangerous in a way. He reached 236 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 4: the temple steps, legs trembling, and hesitated. Could God ever 237 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,460 Speaker 4: hear the prayers of a soul as black as his? 238 00:15:53,460 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 4: Just as he took another step forward, he stumbled into 239 00:15:56,100 --> 00:15:59,580 Speaker 4: a Pharisee and knocked his headdress off. The perfectly white 240 00:15:59,620 --> 00:16:02,940 Speaker 4: material fell into the dust. The Pharisee yelled. 241 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 2: Fool! 242 00:16:05,350 --> 00:16:08,170 Speaker 4: Simeon looked up at the man. He was adorned in 243 00:16:08,290 --> 00:16:12,830 Speaker 4: perfectly tailored robes, glimmering in the sunshine. He was clearly 244 00:16:12,870 --> 00:16:16,050 Speaker 4: an important man with a busy schedule. Simeon felt the 245 00:16:16,070 --> 00:16:19,430 Speaker 4: Pharisee's judgment piercing through his eyes. But it was his 246 00:16:19,530 --> 00:16:21,290 Speaker 4: words that stabbed him the most. 247 00:16:22,170 --> 00:16:25,300 Speaker 2: If you spent more time praying and less time drinking 248 00:16:25,340 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 2: all night, you'd be more alert to the people around you. 249 00:16:29,180 --> 00:16:32,670 Speaker 2: Selfish fool! I have a sermon to give later today. 250 00:16:32,690 --> 00:16:36,750 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 00:16:40,640 --> 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 --> 00:16:58,190 Speaker 2: to utter an apology. He stumbled on his words, flustered 256 00:16:58,230 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 2: and ashamed. You're what? 257 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:01,580 Speaker 1: 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 --> 00:17:07,560 Speaker 2: who is angry with you. 260 00:17:08,609 --> 00:17:09,220 Speaker 1: Look at you. 261 00:17:10,070 --> 00:17:12,629 Speaker 2: From the cut of your robe, you appear to be 262 00:17:12,670 --> 00:17:17,590 Speaker 2: a tax collector. You still reek from whatever debauchery you 263 00:17:17,609 --> 00:17:21,290 Speaker 2: were steeped in last night. All you tax collectors are 264 00:17:21,330 --> 00:17:21,850 Speaker 2: the same. 265 00:17:22,630 --> 00:17:25,670 Speaker 4: The Pharisees stormed off, content to leave Simeon in a 266 00:17:25,730 --> 00:17:29,859 Speaker 4: pool of self-loathing. The broken tax collector looked down at 267 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:33,180 Speaker 4: his feet. He dared not look up. He couldn't lift 268 00:17:33,220 --> 00:17:36,730 Speaker 4: his eyes. He wasn't worthy. Although the Pharisee was harsh 269 00:17:36,770 --> 00:17:40,770 Speaker 4: in his words, he was right. Simeon's life had spiraled 270 00:17:40,810 --> 00:17:44,710 Speaker 4: out of control. He had betrayed his people, disgraced God, 271 00:17:44,730 --> 00:17:48,460 Speaker 4: and become a lapdog for the Romans. Yet even dogs 272 00:17:48,500 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 4: could beg at the table. 273 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 2: Of the Lord, yes? 274 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:54,619 Speaker 4: With his head held low, Simeon marched up the steps 275 00:17:55,060 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 4: and into the prayer hall. The air was thick with 276 00:17:58,060 --> 00:18:01,959 Speaker 4: the smell of incense. Hushed prayers reverberated. 277 00:18:01,300 --> 00:18:01,960 Speaker 2: Off the walls. 278 00:18:03,340 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 3: This is no place for someone like me, Simeon thought. 279 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:14,850 Speaker 3: But if this is where the Lord is, this is 280 00:18:14,910 --> 00:18:15,870 Speaker 3: where I want to be. 281 00:18:17,530 --> 00:18:19,929 Speaker 4: The tax collector found an open space in the corner 282 00:18:19,950 --> 00:18:24,409 Speaker 4: to pray. He didn't want to be seen. With his 283 00:18:24,470 --> 00:18:28,900 Speaker 4: head still low, Simeon labored with what to say. His 284 00:18:28,940 --> 00:18:31,939 Speaker 4: throat tensed and his heart pounded out of his chest. 285 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:35,540 Speaker 4: He dared not look up. He dared not sully the 286 00:18:35,580 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 4: Lord's temple with his gaze. He strained for words, but 287 00:18:39,980 --> 00:18:43,470 Speaker 4: nothing would come out. He had ignored God for so long. 288 00:18:44,150 --> 00:18:47,810 Speaker 4: He had neglected his soul. He felt like a shriveled plant, 289 00:18:48,369 --> 00:18:53,379 Speaker 4: desperate for one drop of rain. God, he whispered. His 290 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:56,460 Speaker 4: voice barely broke through the echoing hymns and prayers of 291 00:18:56,500 --> 00:19:00,859 Speaker 4: the people beside him. His face trembled, holding his tears back. 292 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 3: God. 293 00:19:03,100 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 4: The dam holding back his sorrow cracked each time he 294 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:11,790 Speaker 4: began his prayer. Finally, he beat his chest and gritted 295 00:19:11,830 --> 00:19:12,350 Speaker 4: his teeth. 296 00:19:13,710 --> 00:19:15,470 Speaker 1: God, have mercy on me. 297 00:19:15,490 --> 00:19:17,090 Speaker 3: A sinner. 298 00:19:19,609 --> 00:19:22,689 Speaker 4: That's when the dam finally broke. Years of shame and 299 00:19:22,810 --> 00:19:26,709 Speaker 4: sorrow burst out of him. Tears fell onto the polished 300 00:19:26,750 --> 00:19:31,190 Speaker 4: stone floor. He confessed his sins, not with grand pronouncements, 301 00:19:31,730 --> 00:19:37,010 Speaker 4: but with raw, broken sobs. Although short and silent, his 302 00:19:37,130 --> 00:19:40,250 Speaker 4: prayer reverberated into heaven's halls. 303 00:19:41,869 --> 00:19:43,690 Speaker 1: Jesus gestured to the Pharisees. 304 00:19:45,369 --> 00:19:48,609 Speaker 4: Both these men stood before God in prayer, but I 305 00:19:48,670 --> 00:19:53,080 Speaker 4: tell you, the tabernacle collector went home justified before God. 306 00:19:54,980 --> 00:19:57,920 Speaker 1: The crowd stirred at the idea of a tax collector 307 00:19:58,310 --> 00:20:04,270 Speaker 1: receiving favor before a Pharisee. Yet Jesus was resolute in 308 00:20:04,310 --> 00:20:08,850 Speaker 1: his point. He stepped toward the Pharisees, pleading with them. 309 00:20:09,170 --> 00:20:12,949 Speaker 1: to see the error of their ways. Their hearts had 310 00:20:12,970 --> 00:20:15,950 Speaker 1: been corrupted by pride and self-reliance. 311 00:20:17,070 --> 00:20:21,270 Speaker 4: Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled, but whoever humbles themselves 312 00:20:22,050 --> 00:20:22,990 Speaker 4: will be exalted. 313 00:20:26,390 --> 00:20:31,230 Speaker 5: Phineas, adorned in his meticulous attire, represents an all-too-familiar posture 314 00:20:31,250 --> 00:20:35,090 Speaker 5: in our spiritual walk, the external adherence to religious practice 315 00:20:35,510 --> 00:20:39,580 Speaker 5: while the heart remains distant and neglected. His prayers, filled 316 00:20:39,619 --> 00:20:43,639 Speaker 5: with self-congratulation and comparison, echo the hollow sound of pride. 317 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:47,859 Speaker 5: In his certainty of his superiority, Phineas misses the essence 318 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:52,180 Speaker 5: of true righteousness, which is a relationship with God, grounded 319 00:20:52,310 --> 00:20:56,149 Speaker 5: in humility and love. As we reflect on Phineas' approach 320 00:20:56,170 --> 00:20:59,450 Speaker 5: to God, we are invited to examine our own hearts. 321 00:20:59,990 --> 00:21:03,450 Speaker 5: How often do we measure our own spirituality by external 322 00:21:03,510 --> 00:21:07,410 Speaker 5: markers comparing ourselves to others to affirm our standing before God? 323 00:21:08,140 --> 00:21:11,770 Speaker 5: The danger of self-righteousness in comparison is that it blinds 324 00:21:11,830 --> 00:21:14,470 Speaker 5: us to our own need of God's grace, leading us 325 00:21:14,510 --> 00:21:17,050 Speaker 5: to trust in our own deeds rather than God's mercy. 326 00:21:17,570 --> 00:21:20,910 Speaker 5: Contrast that with Simeon's journey to the temple. His journey 327 00:21:20,930 --> 00:21:23,490 Speaker 5: is marked by an awareness of his brokenness and a 328 00:21:23,570 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 5: desperate longing for God's forgiveness. His prayer, simple yet profound, 329 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:31,600 Speaker 5: God be merciful to me, a sinner, captures the essence 330 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:35,459 Speaker 5: of a heart truly seeking God. Simeon's humility allows him 331 00:21:35,500 --> 00:21:38,580 Speaker 5: to recognize his need for God's grace. setting the stage 332 00:21:38,619 --> 00:21:42,740 Speaker 5: for genuine transformation. Because there can be no genuine change 333 00:21:42,780 --> 00:21:46,090 Speaker 5: in our lives, no genuine transformation of the soul, unless 334 00:21:46,150 --> 00:21:50,090 Speaker 5: we first recognized our need for God. In Simeon's tearful plea, 335 00:21:50,150 --> 00:21:52,629 Speaker 5: we find the courage to confront our own sins in 336 00:21:52,710 --> 00:21:55,530 Speaker 5: grace to approach God with a humble heart. This story 337 00:21:55,570 --> 00:21:58,439 Speaker 5: should give us boldness that it doesn't matter what we've done. 338 00:21:58,619 --> 00:22:01,060 Speaker 5: What matters is how we bring ourselves to God in 339 00:22:01,119 --> 00:22:04,100 Speaker 5: humility and what we do after we've come before him. 340 00:22:04,450 --> 00:22:07,710 Speaker 5: His prayer reminds us that our righteousness doesn't earn God's 341 00:22:07,790 --> 00:22:10,760 Speaker 5: love and mercy. Those things are freely given to those 342 00:22:10,780 --> 00:22:13,740 Speaker 5: who recognize their need for him. We're also stricken by 343 00:22:13,780 --> 00:22:16,660 Speaker 5: the posture of Phineas. He's so confident and arrogant when 344 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:20,120 Speaker 5: he speaks to God. A passage from Ecclesiastes comes to mind. 345 00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 5: Listen to the words of Solomon when he talks about 346 00:22:22,619 --> 00:22:25,460 Speaker 5: approaching God. Guard your steps when you go to the 347 00:22:25,500 --> 00:22:28,619 Speaker 5: house of God. Go near and listen rather than offer 348 00:22:28,660 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 5: sacrifice of fools who do not know that they've done 349 00:22:31,580 --> 00:22:38,460 Speaker 5: anything wrong. Ecclesiastes 5.1 Intimate and transformative prayer requires two things. One, 350 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 5: it requires an awareness of God. And two, it requires 351 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:45,620 Speaker 5: an awareness of self. So first, it requires an awareness 352 00:22:45,660 --> 00:22:49,300 Speaker 5: of God. We must realize God's vastness, holiness, and power 353 00:22:49,359 --> 00:22:52,310 Speaker 5: when we approach him in prayer. Jesus reminds us that 354 00:22:52,369 --> 00:22:56,629 Speaker 5: our prayer should begin with recognizing God's righteousness. Hallowed be 355 00:22:56,670 --> 00:22:59,389 Speaker 5: thy name. God is our friend and our counselor, but 356 00:22:59,430 --> 00:23:02,800 Speaker 5: he's still God. He's holy. He's righteous. He's apart from us. 357 00:23:03,310 --> 00:23:06,230 Speaker 5: He's not your homeboy or your buddy. He's the Lord 358 00:23:06,310 --> 00:23:09,990 Speaker 5: of all creation, and he should be approached with reverence, respect, 359 00:23:10,330 --> 00:23:13,810 Speaker 5: and awe. This leads to our second step to intimate 360 00:23:13,830 --> 00:23:18,110 Speaker 5: and transformative prayer, and that's awareness of self. The Pharisee 361 00:23:18,130 --> 00:23:20,810 Speaker 5: approached God like a fool. He didn't take any time 362 00:23:20,869 --> 00:23:22,970 Speaker 5: to reflect or consider the state of his own heart. 363 00:23:23,530 --> 00:23:25,879 Speaker 5: If he did, he would have realized how arrogant and 364 00:23:25,930 --> 00:23:29,020 Speaker 5: vain he was. God wants us to approach him boldly, 365 00:23:29,359 --> 00:23:32,500 Speaker 5: but not arrogantly. The Apostle Paul set a great example 366 00:23:32,540 --> 00:23:35,140 Speaker 5: for us. He accomplished a lot in the kingdom of God, 367 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:38,570 Speaker 5: but it never got to his head. He often described 368 00:23:38,590 --> 00:23:41,310 Speaker 5: himself as a wretch, ignorant, or the chief of sinners. 369 00:23:41,810 --> 00:23:44,609 Speaker 5: He knew that compared to God, he was nothing. The 370 00:23:44,650 --> 00:23:47,230 Speaker 5: tax collector had a healthy view of where he stood 371 00:23:47,270 --> 00:23:47,850 Speaker 5: before God. 372 00:23:48,330 --> 00:23:48,990 Speaker 2: He knew that. 373 00:23:48,910 --> 00:23:52,120 Speaker 5: God was the Holy One, not him. Jesus concludes this 374 00:23:52,180 --> 00:23:56,700 Speaker 5: parable with a powerful declaration. The tax collector, not the Pharisee, 375 00:23:57,060 --> 00:24:01,959 Speaker 5: went home justified before God. This truth challenges our perceptions 376 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:04,899 Speaker 5: of worthiness and invites us to embrace humility as a 377 00:24:04,940 --> 00:24:08,939 Speaker 5: pathway to God's heart. Justification is not a reward for righteousness, 378 00:24:09,020 --> 00:24:11,260 Speaker 5: but a gift of grace to those who humbly seek 379 00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:14,500 Speaker 5: God's mercy. As we ponder the lives of Phineas and Simeon, 380 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:17,439 Speaker 5: let us be reminded that our prayers are not performances 381 00:24:17,500 --> 00:24:21,220 Speaker 5: for divine approval, but expressions of our reliance on God's 382 00:24:21,340 --> 00:24:24,699 Speaker 5: boundless mercy. May we, like the tax collector, come to 383 00:24:24,740 --> 00:24:28,310 Speaker 5: God with hearts open and broken, trusting that His grace 384 00:24:28,440 --> 00:24:32,609 Speaker 5: is sufficient for us. Today, let's choose the path of humility, 385 00:24:32,750 --> 00:24:36,389 Speaker 5: recognizing our constant need for God's grace. May our prayers 386 00:24:36,470 --> 00:24:39,580 Speaker 5: reflect a genuine relationship with God, grounded not in our 387 00:24:39,619 --> 00:24:42,919 Speaker 5: own righteousness but in His mercy. Let us embrace the 388 00:24:42,980 --> 00:24:45,460 Speaker 5: truth that we are all in need of forgiveness and 389 00:24:45,500 --> 00:24:47,889 Speaker 5: that our humble reliance on God is what truly defines 390 00:24:47,930 --> 00:24:51,429 Speaker 5: our righteousness. If we can approach God in humility, we 391 00:24:51,450 --> 00:24:55,610 Speaker 5: can actually bring our authentic selves before Him. not masking 392 00:24:55,670 --> 00:24:59,189 Speaker 5: our problems, not shying away from our sins, but humbly 393 00:24:59,250 --> 00:25:02,690 Speaker 5: acknowledging our weakness before him and then allowing his grace 394 00:25:02,730 --> 00:25:05,980 Speaker 5: to have its transformative effect in our lives. There can 395 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 5: be no change without humility. May the story of the 396 00:25:09,619 --> 00:25:12,200 Speaker 5: Pharisee and the tax collector inspire us to live hearts 397 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:15,020 Speaker 5: attuned to God's mercy, walking the journey of faith with 398 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:19,550 Speaker 5: humility and love. I'm going to confess something. Tomorrow's episode 399 00:25:19,850 --> 00:25:21,970 Speaker 5: is one of my favorites that we've done so far. 400 00:25:22,550 --> 00:25:26,350 Speaker 5: It's about God's devotion and courageous love for us, exemplified 401 00:25:26,410 --> 00:25:29,260 Speaker 5: in how a shepherd leaves the safety of his pasture 402 00:25:29,500 --> 00:25:32,700 Speaker 5: to look for his lost sheep. God is passionate about 403 00:25:32,740 --> 00:25:34,940 Speaker 5: you and will stop at nothing to bring you back 404 00:25:34,980 --> 00:25:38,000 Speaker 5: to him. If this podcast has blessed you, consider leaving 405 00:25:38,060 --> 00:25:40,250 Speaker 5: us a review. We want to hear about how biblical 406 00:25:40,290 --> 00:25:43,890 Speaker 5: storytelling and honest reflection has impacted your walk with Christ. 407 00:25:44,250 --> 00:25:47,149 Speaker 5: And for more inspiring stories, daily devotionals, and wisdom to 408 00:25:47,190 --> 00:25:49,100 Speaker 5: last a lifetime, visit Pray.com.