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 --> 00:00:22,250 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 --> 00:01:02,550 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 00:01:08,230 --> 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 --> 00:01:24,900 Speaker 1: for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. 16 00:01:25,700 --> 00:01:29,640 Speaker 1: Remain here to be swept away in this cinematic retelling 17 00:01:29,670 --> 00:01:34,380 Speaker 1: of 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 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:54,610 Speaker 1: Thanks for making that possible. Jesus watched the Pharisees closely. 22 00:01:56,430 --> 00:01:59,720 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 00:02:07,080 --> 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 00:03:13,500 --> 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 --> 00:03:35,890 Speaker 5: but so profound and tender. It's a story about justification, prayer, 47 00:03:36,250 --> 00:03:38,850 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 --> 00:03:55,980 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 wake, 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 --> 00:05:31,800 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 --> 00:05:45,190 Speaker 4: tripping onto the floor. Despicable, he whispered. Phineas' servant weaved 79 00:05:45,230 --> 00:05:47,789 Speaker 4: through the carts and beggars and bowed at his feet. 80 00:05:48,690 --> 00:05:55,030 Speaker 4: You're late, Phineas scolded. The Lord rested on the seventh day, 81 00:05:55,150 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 4: not the fourth, Davos. If we're going to be about 82 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:01,859 Speaker 4: the Lord's work, we shall give him the perfection required 83 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:07,380 Speaker 4: to glorify him. Do you understand? The servant bowed in contrition, 84 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 4: 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 --> 00:06:29,290 Speaker 2: with a practiced flourish. The clink of coins landing in 91 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:34,810 Speaker 2: outstretched palms echoed through the marketplace. To you from the Lord, 92 00:06:35,410 --> 00:06:38,490 Speaker 2: he would shout for everyone to hear. Phineas only gave 93 00:06:38,710 --> 00:06:41,270 Speaker 2: alms to the poor in front of the temple so 94 00:06:41,310 --> 00:06:45,120 Speaker 2: the eyes of other Pharisees would be upon him. After 95 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 2: his charity performance, Phineas made his way to the temple storehouse. 96 00:06:50,300 --> 00:06:53,520 Speaker 2: His servant carried a bag of different sacks, all labeled 97 00:06:53,580 --> 00:06:57,730 Speaker 2: and weighed to a tee. Phineas had measured every ounce 98 00:06:57,770 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 2: of grain, spices, and fruit to tie. 99 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:04,380 Speaker 4: The tenth to the Lord. He also had his income 100 00:07:04,420 --> 00:07:07,540 Speaker 4: tithe in a purple linen sack secured to his side. 101 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:12,030 Speaker 2: I have come to give my offering to the Lord. 102 00:07:13,070 --> 00:07:14,570 Speaker 4: Phineas declared for all to hear. 103 00:07:15,830 --> 00:07:20,860 Speaker 2: Spices, fruits, grains, and coins, all for the glory of 104 00:07:20,950 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 2: our God and might of the temple. May God be praised. 105 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:31,180 Speaker 4: Every act of charity, every mumbled verse, another layer of 106 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:36,700 Speaker 4: righteousness painted upon his already gleaming image. Many were awed 107 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:40,460 Speaker 4: at Phineas' meticulous attention to the law, not seeing the 108 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:45,700 Speaker 4: current of anxious energy pulsing beneath the surface. As Phineas 109 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 4: left the storehouse towards the Hall of Prayer, a man 110 00:07:48,620 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 4: bumped into him, knocking the headdress off his head. The 111 00:07:52,460 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 4: perfectly white material fell into the dust. Phineas seethed in anger.' Fool!' 112 00:07:59,570 --> 00:08:03,570 Speaker 4: he yelled. The man before him smelled of stale wine, 113 00:08:03,890 --> 00:08:06,330 Speaker 4: and dark rings hung underneath his eyes. 114 00:08:06,350 --> 00:08:10,430 Speaker 2: If you spent more time praying and less time drinking 115 00:08:10,490 --> 00:08:13,630 Speaker 2: all night, you'd be more alert to the people around you.' 116 00:08:14,300 --> 00:08:17,860 Speaker 2: Selfish fool, I have a sermon to give later today. 117 00:08:18,580 --> 00:08:21,870 Speaker 2: Now I may have to return home to clean my headdress. 118 00:08:22,610 --> 00:08:24,020 Speaker 2: What do you have to say for yourself? 119 00:08:24,610 --> 00:08:27,460 Speaker 4: He shook his head, barely able to utter an apology. I... 120 00:08:31,410 --> 00:08:35,630 Speaker 4: The man stumbled on his words, flustered and ashamed. Phineas 121 00:08:35,770 --> 00:08:37,689 Speaker 4: clenched his jaw and ground his teeth. 122 00:08:38,890 --> 00:08:43,870 Speaker 2: You're what? Sorry? Sorry? Don't apologize to me. Apologize to 123 00:08:43,890 --> 00:08:47,850 Speaker 2: the Lord. It's him who is angry with you. Look 124 00:08:47,910 --> 00:08:51,450 Speaker 2: at you. From the cut of your robe, you appear 125 00:08:51,470 --> 00:08:55,860 Speaker 2: to be a tax collector. You still reek from whatever 126 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:59,699 Speaker 2: debauchery you were steeped in last night. All you tax 127 00:08:59,740 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 2: collectors are the same. It's not enough to betray your people, 128 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 2: but now you must disgrace God by coming to his 129 00:09:05,860 --> 00:09:09,850 Speaker 2: righteous temple. Scurry back to the Romans like the lapdog 130 00:09:09,870 --> 00:09:11,719 Speaker 2: you are and get out of my way! 131 00:09:12,860 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 4: Phineas stormed off, scoffing and frantically wiping the dust off 132 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:19,380 Speaker 4: his headdress. He looked at his reflection in the fountain 133 00:09:19,420 --> 00:09:23,179 Speaker 4: to adjust the amulet. Thank God I am not a 134 00:09:23,220 --> 00:09:27,470 Speaker 4: tax collector. Those men have no idea what judgment awaits them. 135 00:09:28,730 --> 00:09:31,670 Speaker 4: With those words, Phineas scaled the temple steps into the 136 00:09:31,710 --> 00:09:35,190 Speaker 4: prayer hall. The sounds of his steps bounced up and 137 00:09:35,250 --> 00:09:38,630 Speaker 4: down the halls, echoing the hollow reality of his heart. 138 00:09:40,130 --> 00:09:43,059 Speaker 4: With his head held high, Phineas marched up the steps 139 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:46,020 Speaker 4: and into the prayer hall. The air was thick with 140 00:09:46,059 --> 00:09:50,060 Speaker 4: the smell of incense. Hushed prayers reverberated off the walls. 141 00:09:51,260 --> 00:09:58,110 Speaker 4: He breathed in deeply and smiled. This is where I belong. 142 00:09:59,570 --> 00:10:03,100 Speaker 4: Phineas sighed. in relief. He felt comfortable within the temple walls. 143 00:10:03,630 --> 00:10:05,439 Speaker 4: He approached the altar of prayer in the center of 144 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:09,699 Speaker 4: the hall. Onlookers saw him stand before the Lord. With 145 00:10:09,740 --> 00:10:13,140 Speaker 4: a deep and resonant voice, Phineas prayed for all to hear. 146 00:10:14,980 --> 00:10:22,140 Speaker 2: God, I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, 147 00:10:22,380 --> 00:10:23,500 Speaker 2: and adulterers. 148 00:10:24,460 --> 00:10:27,280 Speaker 4: The Pharisee glanced at the tax collector, hobbling in the corner. 149 00:10:28,340 --> 00:10:31,300 Speaker 4: His nostrils flared, and he continued to pray. 150 00:10:31,330 --> 00:10:34,130 Speaker 2: And I thank you that I am not like this 151 00:10:34,390 --> 00:10:38,530 Speaker 2: tax collector. I fast twice a week, give a tenth 152 00:10:38,570 --> 00:10:41,449 Speaker 2: of all I earn, and seek to obey your law. 153 00:10:42,170 --> 00:10:43,290 Speaker 2: Everyone heard his prayer. 154 00:10:43,900 --> 00:10:47,780 Speaker 4: They heard his declaration of righteousness and public display of holiness. 155 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 4: Phineas recited a few more prayers, then left the temple 156 00:10:52,420 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 4: steps to continue about his day. He left unchanged. Phineas' 157 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:03,250 Speaker 4: day proceeded as planned, everything neatly in its place. Nothing 158 00:11:03,300 --> 00:11:07,949 Speaker 4: remarkable happened to Phineas. He gained nothing in his prayers because, well, 159 00:11:08,870 --> 00:11:11,430 Speaker 4: they were not prayers at all. His utterances in the 160 00:11:11,470 --> 00:11:15,430 Speaker 4: temple were merely ornaments. like the blue fringes on his 161 00:11:15,490 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 4: robe or the amulet on his headdress. Because of this, 162 00:11:19,820 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 4: nothing in Phineas' life would ever change, and, well, that 163 00:11:23,380 --> 00:11:29,459 Speaker 4: was just how he liked it. The sunlight pierced through 164 00:11:29,500 --> 00:11:33,300 Speaker 4: a hole in Simeon's closed curtains. The rays shone in 165 00:11:33,350 --> 00:11:36,550 Speaker 4: his face, waking him from his feverish slumber. 166 00:11:37,950 --> 00:11:38,650 Speaker 2: He awoke to a. 167 00:11:38,690 --> 00:11:43,429 Speaker 4: Rotten stench of stale wine and regret. The remnants of 168 00:11:43,470 --> 00:11:47,500 Speaker 4: another debauched night with his associates laced the floor. He 169 00:11:47,540 --> 00:11:51,080 Speaker 4: propped himself up and rubbed his head. It ached from 170 00:11:51,140 --> 00:11:54,319 Speaker 4: lack of sleep, lack of water, and lack of general 171 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:58,290 Speaker 4: care for himself. He propped himself up and surveyed the 172 00:11:58,330 --> 00:12:01,510 Speaker 4: wreckage of his home. His house was filled with empty coffers, 173 00:12:01,809 --> 00:12:07,390 Speaker 4: hung over tax collectors, sleeping prostitutes, and crumpled undergarments. As 174 00:12:07,429 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 4: he gazed at the scene before him, he felt a 175 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:13,489 Speaker 4: gnawing hollowness in his heart. a hollowness that he knew 176 00:12:13,630 --> 00:12:17,550 Speaker 4: no amount of gold or pleasure could ever fill. Simeon 177 00:12:17,590 --> 00:12:20,110 Speaker 4: groaned and limped over the people sleeping on the floor. 178 00:12:20,870 --> 00:12:23,300 Speaker 4: He reached the water basin and dunked his head in, 179 00:12:23,820 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 4: trying to wash away the regret and self-loathing. He took 180 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:30,439 Speaker 4: his head out of the water and looked in the mirror. 181 00:12:31,300 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 4: The water dripped from his unkempt beard, muddying the basin below. 182 00:12:37,140 --> 00:12:41,340 Speaker 4: Simeon couldn't stand his reflections. Although he was beloved by 183 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 4: the Romans and his fellow tax collectors, he was hated 184 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 4: by his kin. He betrayed them for a life of extravagance. 185 00:12:49,970 --> 00:12:52,260 Speaker 4: At the time, Simeon felt he had no choice but 186 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:55,550 Speaker 4: to become a tax collector. He had lost a drunken wager, 187 00:12:55,850 --> 00:12:59,670 Speaker 4: descended into debt, and lost his way. Turning to the 188 00:12:59,710 --> 00:13:03,170 Speaker 4: Romans was a way out and a way up. Simeon 189 00:13:03,210 --> 00:13:06,290 Speaker 4: later realized that moving up in the world meant moving 190 00:13:06,390 --> 00:13:11,270 Speaker 4: downward in his soul. Memories, sharp as broken glass, sliced 191 00:13:11,330 --> 00:13:15,310 Speaker 4: through his mind. He had exploited so many innocent people. 192 00:13:16,090 --> 00:13:20,200 Speaker 4: He had taken advantage of so many families. Every coin 193 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:23,220 Speaker 4: clinking in his pouch echoed with the cries of the poor. 194 00:13:24,340 --> 00:13:26,939 Speaker 4: Every sip of liquor spoke of new sins to come. 195 00:13:27,740 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 4: Every touch of silk whispered of stolen innocence. Who am I? 196 00:13:34,980 --> 00:13:38,890 Speaker 4: Simeon whispered into the mirror. His guilt was a long 197 00:13:38,950 --> 00:13:42,070 Speaker 4: and festering wound. He needed healing. 198 00:13:43,170 --> 00:13:47,420 Speaker 3: If I repented and returned to God, would he even 199 00:13:47,500 --> 00:13:48,280 Speaker 3: receive me? 200 00:13:49,460 --> 00:13:52,600 Speaker 4: Simeon crumpled to the floor and sobbed into his knees. 201 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:57,020 Speaker 4: Shame had grown like weeds in his heart, choking out 202 00:13:57,110 --> 00:13:58,329 Speaker 4: hope for a better life. 203 00:14:01,690 --> 00:14:02,630 Speaker 3: Who have I become? 204 00:14:04,070 --> 00:14:06,650 Speaker 4: This was usually when Simeon returned to the bottle to 205 00:14:06,710 --> 00:14:10,470 Speaker 4: drown his regret in more regret. But this time was different. 206 00:14:11,170 --> 00:14:13,970 Speaker 4: The light peeking in through the curtain grew brighter as 207 00:14:14,030 --> 00:14:19,340 Speaker 4: the sun rose, reaching his sobbing cheek. It was as 208 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:22,479 Speaker 4: if God was reaching out to him, extending a hand 209 00:14:22,540 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 4: of hope. Simeon was a broken man, but for a 210 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 4: brief and divine moment, his resolve to return to God 211 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:34,250 Speaker 4: was awakened. Simeon ran out the door, The morning sun 212 00:14:34,290 --> 00:14:40,100 Speaker 4: attacked Simeon's eyes. Where are you going, Simeon? One of 213 00:14:40,140 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 4: his friends called from inside. There are no tasks for today. 214 00:14:44,700 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 4: Come back to bed. Everything in Simeon's body ached to 215 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:51,460 Speaker 4: be back inside under the covers, but the pain of 216 00:14:51,580 --> 00:14:54,330 Speaker 4: limping in the light was nothing compared to the anguish 217 00:14:54,450 --> 00:14:59,090 Speaker 4: of remaining in darkness. He ignored the voice of temptation 218 00:14:59,430 --> 00:15:01,570 Speaker 4: and hobbled his way up the path towards the temples. 219 00:15:02,670 --> 00:15:06,930 Speaker 4: Its gleaming white and golden walls shone brilliantly in the distance. 220 00:15:08,090 --> 00:15:10,790 Speaker 4: It was a beacon of hope, a lighthouse in the 221 00:15:10,910 --> 00:15:13,060 Speaker 4: stormy sea that was Simeon's life. 222 00:15:14,900 --> 00:15:16,260 Speaker 1: Will God accept me? 223 00:15:18,680 --> 00:15:20,180 Speaker 3: Am I worthy of mercy? 224 00:15:21,380 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 2: He wondered. 225 00:15:23,100 --> 00:15:25,830 Speaker 4: Every face Simeon passed was a reflection of his sin. 226 00:15:26,550 --> 00:15:29,530 Speaker 4: They scowled at him as he walked. They spat in 227 00:15:29,570 --> 00:15:33,510 Speaker 4: his direction and cursed him as he passed. Tax collectors 228 00:15:33,590 --> 00:15:37,210 Speaker 4: usually had Roman gods assigned to them for protection. That 229 00:15:37,250 --> 00:15:41,950 Speaker 4: is how hated they were by the Jews. Simeon's journey 230 00:15:42,010 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 4: to the temple was dangerous in a way. He reached 231 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 4: the temple steps, legs trembling, and hesitated. Could God ever 232 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 4: hear the prayers of a soul as black as his? 233 00:15:53,460 --> 00:15:56,060 Speaker 4: Just as he took another step forward, he stumbled into 234 00:15:56,100 --> 00:15:59,580 Speaker 4: a Pharisee and knocked his headdress off. The perfectly white 235 00:15:59,620 --> 00:16:02,940 Speaker 4: material fell into the dust. The Pharisee yelled. 236 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:04,300 Speaker 3: Fool! 237 00:16:05,340 --> 00:16:08,160 Speaker 4: Simeon looked up at the man. He was adorned in 238 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:12,830 Speaker 4: perfectly tailored robes, glimmering in the sunshine. He was clearly 239 00:16:12,870 --> 00:16:16,050 Speaker 4: an important man with a busy schedule. Simeon felt the 240 00:16:16,070 --> 00:16:19,430 Speaker 4: Pharisee's judgment piercing through his eyes. But it was his 241 00:16:19,530 --> 00:16:21,310 Speaker 4: words that stabbed him the most. 242 00:16:22,170 --> 00:16:25,290 Speaker 2: If you spent more time praying and less time drinking 243 00:16:25,330 --> 00:16:28,430 Speaker 2: all night, you'd be more alert to the people around you. 244 00:16:29,170 --> 00:16:32,710 Speaker 2: Selfish fool! I have a sermon to give later today. 245 00:16:32,730 --> 00:16:36,750 Speaker 2: Now I may have to return home to clean my headdress. 246 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 4: What do you have to say for yourself? Simeon's lower 247 00:16:40,620 --> 00:16:44,100 Speaker 4: lip quivered in shame. Was this a sign that God 248 00:16:44,140 --> 00:16:46,980 Speaker 4: didn't want him there? Had he made a mistake in 249 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 4: coming to the temple? Simeon shook his head, barely able 250 00:16:51,180 --> 00:16:57,300 Speaker 4: to utter an apology. I... He stumbled on his words, 251 00:16:57,780 --> 00:16:58,770 Speaker 4: flustered and ashamed. 252 00:16:59,860 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 2: You're what? 253 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:01,580 Speaker 3: Sorry? 254 00:17:02,180 --> 00:17:06,460 Speaker 2: Don't apologize to me. Apologize to the Lord. It's him 255 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:10,330 Speaker 2: who is angry with you. Look at you. From the 256 00:17:10,460 --> 00:17:13,710 Speaker 2: cut of your robe, you appear to be a tax collector. 257 00:17:14,510 --> 00:17:18,350 Speaker 2: You still reek from whatever debauchery you were steeped in 258 00:17:18,410 --> 00:17:21,850 Speaker 2: last night. All you tax collectors are the same. 259 00:17:22,630 --> 00:17:25,670 Speaker 4: The Pharisees stormed off, content to leave Simeon in a 260 00:17:25,730 --> 00:17:29,859 Speaker 4: pool of self-loathing. The broken tax collector looked down at 261 00:17:29,900 --> 00:17:33,200 Speaker 4: his feet. He dared not look up. He couldn't lift 262 00:17:33,220 --> 00:17:36,730 Speaker 4: his eyes. He wasn't worthy. Although the Pharisee was harsh 263 00:17:36,770 --> 00:17:40,770 Speaker 4: in his words, he was right. Simeon's life had spiraled 264 00:17:40,810 --> 00:17:44,710 Speaker 4: out of control. He had betrayed his people, disgraced God, 265 00:17:44,730 --> 00:17:48,450 Speaker 4: and become a lapdog for the Romans. Yet even dogs 266 00:17:48,490 --> 00:17:49,610 Speaker 4: could beg at the table of. 267 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 2: The Lord, yes? 268 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:54,639 Speaker 4: With his head held low, Simeon marched up the steps 269 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:58,030 Speaker 4: and into the prayer hall. The air was thick with 270 00:17:58,050 --> 00:18:01,950 Speaker 4: the smell of incense. Hushed prayers reverberated off the walls. 271 00:18:03,330 --> 00:18:07,810 Speaker 3: This is no place for someone like me, Simeon thought. 272 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:14,840 Speaker 3: But if this is where the Lord is, this is 273 00:18:14,900 --> 00:18:15,860 Speaker 3: where I want to be. 274 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:19,859 Speaker 4: The tax collector found an open space in the corner 275 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:24,399 Speaker 4: to pray. He didn't want to be seen. With his 276 00:18:24,460 --> 00:18:28,900 Speaker 4: head still low, Simeon labored with what to say. His 277 00:18:28,940 --> 00:18:31,939 Speaker 4: throat tensed and his heart pounded out of his chest. 278 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:35,540 Speaker 4: He dared not look up. He dared not sully the 279 00:18:35,580 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 4: Lord's temple with his gaze. He strained for words, but 280 00:18:39,980 --> 00:18:43,490 Speaker 4: nothing would come out. He had ignored God for so long. 281 00:18:44,150 --> 00:18:47,810 Speaker 4: He had neglected his soul. He felt like a shriveled plant, 282 00:18:48,369 --> 00:18:53,389 Speaker 4: desperate for one drop of rain. God, he whispered. His 283 00:18:53,430 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 4: voice barely broke through the echoing hymns and prayers of 284 00:18:56,520 --> 00:19:00,859 Speaker 4: the people beside him. His face trembled, holding his tears back. 285 00:19:01,900 --> 00:19:02,300 Speaker 3: God. 286 00:19:03,100 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 4: The dam holding back his sorrow cracked each time he 287 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:11,790 Speaker 4: began his prayer. Finally, he beat his chest and gritted 288 00:19:11,830 --> 00:19:12,350 Speaker 4: his teeth. 289 00:19:13,730 --> 00:19:15,490 Speaker 3: God, have mercy on me. 290 00:19:15,510 --> 00:19:17,090 Speaker 2: A sinner. 291 00:19:19,609 --> 00:19:22,689 Speaker 4: That's when the dam finally broke. Years of shame and 292 00:19:22,810 --> 00:19:26,709 Speaker 4: sorrow burst out of him. Tears fell onto the polished 293 00:19:26,750 --> 00:19:31,210 Speaker 4: stone floor. He confessed his sins, not with grand pronouncements, 294 00:19:31,730 --> 00:19:37,010 Speaker 4: but with raw, broken sobs. Although short and silent, his 295 00:19:37,130 --> 00:19:40,250 Speaker 4: prayer reverberated into heaven's halls. 296 00:19:41,890 --> 00:19:43,690 Speaker 1: Jesus gestured to the Pharisees. 297 00:19:45,369 --> 00:19:48,609 Speaker 4: Both these men stood before God in prayer, but I 298 00:19:48,670 --> 00:19:53,080 Speaker 4: tell you, the tabernacle collector went home justified before God. 299 00:19:54,980 --> 00:19:57,920 Speaker 1: The crowd stirred at the idea of a tax collector 300 00:19:58,300 --> 00:20:04,260 Speaker 1: receiving favor before a Pharisee. Yet Jesus was resolute in 301 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:08,850 Speaker 1: his point. He stepped toward the Pharisees, pleading with them. 302 00:20:09,170 --> 00:20:12,949 Speaker 1: to see the error of their ways. Their hearts had 303 00:20:12,970 --> 00:20:15,950 Speaker 1: been corrupted by pride and self-reliance. 304 00:20:17,070 --> 00:20:21,270 Speaker 4: Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled, but whoever humbles themselves 305 00:20:22,050 --> 00:20:22,990 Speaker 4: will be exalted. 306 00:20:26,390 --> 00:20:31,230 Speaker 5: Phineas, adorned in his meticulous attire, represents an all-too-familiar posture 307 00:20:31,270 --> 00:20:35,090 Speaker 5: in our spiritual walk, the external adherence to religious practice 308 00:20:35,510 --> 00:20:39,580 Speaker 5: while the heart remains distant and neglected. His prayers, filled 309 00:20:39,619 --> 00:20:43,639 Speaker 5: with self-congratulation and comparison, echo the hollow sound of pride. 310 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:47,869 Speaker 5: In his certainty of his superiority, Phineas misses the essence 311 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:52,190 Speaker 5: of true righteousness, which is a relationship with God, grounded 312 00:20:52,310 --> 00:20:56,149 Speaker 5: in humility and love. As we reflect on Phineas' approach 313 00:20:56,170 --> 00:20:59,450 Speaker 5: to God, we are invited to examine our own hearts. 314 00:20:59,990 --> 00:21:03,450 Speaker 5: How often do we measure our own spirituality by external 315 00:21:03,510 --> 00:21:07,410 Speaker 5: markers comparing ourselves to others to affirm our standing before God? 316 00:21:08,140 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 5: The danger of self-righteousness in comparison is that it blinds 317 00:21:11,820 --> 00:21:14,470 Speaker 5: us to our own need of God's grace, leading us 318 00:21:14,510 --> 00:21:17,050 Speaker 5: to trust in our own deeds rather than God's mercy. 319 00:21:17,570 --> 00:21:20,910 Speaker 5: Contrast that with Simeon's journey to the temple. His journey 320 00:21:20,950 --> 00:21:23,490 Speaker 5: is marked by an awareness of his brokenness and a 321 00:21:23,570 --> 00:21:27,909 Speaker 5: desperate longing for God's forgiveness. His prayer, simple yet profound, 322 00:21:27,990 --> 00:21:31,600 Speaker 5: God be merciful to me, a sinner, captures the essence 323 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:35,459 Speaker 5: of a heart truly seeking God. Simeon's humility allows him 324 00:21:35,500 --> 00:21:38,580 Speaker 5: to recognize his need for God's grace. setting the stage 325 00:21:38,619 --> 00:21:42,740 Speaker 5: for genuine transformation. Because there can be no genuine change 326 00:21:42,780 --> 00:21:46,090 Speaker 5: in our lives, no genuine transformation of the soul, unless 327 00:21:46,150 --> 00:21:50,090 Speaker 5: we first recognized our need for God. In Simeon's tearful plea, 328 00:21:50,150 --> 00:21:52,649 Speaker 5: we find the courage to confront our own sins and 329 00:21:52,710 --> 00:21:55,530 Speaker 5: grace to approach God with a humble heart. This story 330 00:21:55,570 --> 00:21:58,440 Speaker 5: should give us boldness that it doesn't matter what we've done. 331 00:21:58,619 --> 00:22:01,060 Speaker 5: What matters is how we bring ourselves to God in 332 00:22:01,119 --> 00:22:04,100 Speaker 5: humility and what we do after we've come before him. 333 00:22:04,450 --> 00:22:07,710 Speaker 5: His prayer reminds us that our righteousness doesn't earn God's 334 00:22:07,790 --> 00:22:10,760 Speaker 5: love and mercy. Those things are freely given to those 335 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:13,740 Speaker 5: who recognize their need for him. We're also stricken by 336 00:22:13,780 --> 00:22:16,660 Speaker 5: the posture of Phineas. He's so confident and arrogant when 337 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:20,120 Speaker 5: he speaks to God. A passage from Ecclesiastes comes to mind. 338 00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 5: Listen to the words of Solomon when he talks about 339 00:22:22,619 --> 00:22:25,460 Speaker 5: approaching God. Guard your steps when you go to the 340 00:22:25,500 --> 00:22:28,619 Speaker 5: house of God. Go near and listen rather than offer 341 00:22:28,660 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 5: sacrifice of fools who do not know that they've done 342 00:22:31,580 --> 00:22:38,460 Speaker 5: anything wrong. Ecclesiastes 5.1 Intimate and transformative prayer requires two things. One, 343 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 5: it requires an awareness of God. And two, it requires 344 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:45,620 Speaker 5: an awareness of self. So first, it requires an awareness 345 00:22:45,660 --> 00:22:49,300 Speaker 5: of God. We must realize God's vastness, holiness, and power 346 00:22:49,359 --> 00:22:52,310 Speaker 5: when we approach Him in prayer. Jesus reminds us that 347 00:22:52,369 --> 00:22:56,629 Speaker 5: our prayer should begin with recognizing God's righteousness. Hallowed be 348 00:22:56,670 --> 00:22:59,389 Speaker 5: thy name. God is our friend and our counselor, but 349 00:22:59,430 --> 00:23:00,250 Speaker 5: He's still God. 350 00:23:00,430 --> 00:23:01,050 Speaker 2: He's holy. 351 00:23:01,130 --> 00:23:04,389 Speaker 5: He's righteous. He's apart from us. He's not your homeboy 352 00:23:04,510 --> 00:23:07,469 Speaker 5: or your buddy. He's the Lord of all creation, and 353 00:23:07,530 --> 00:23:11,950 Speaker 5: he should be approached with reverence, respect, and awe. This 354 00:23:12,030 --> 00:23:14,930 Speaker 5: leads to our second step to intimate and transformative prayer, 355 00:23:15,350 --> 00:23:18,770 Speaker 5: and that's awareness of self. The Pharisee approached God like 356 00:23:18,810 --> 00:23:21,500 Speaker 5: a fool. He didn't take any time to reflect or 357 00:23:21,540 --> 00:23:24,040 Speaker 5: consider the state of his own heart. If he did, 358 00:23:24,359 --> 00:23:26,580 Speaker 5: he would have realized how arrogant and vain he was. 359 00:23:27,160 --> 00:23:30,280 Speaker 5: God wants us to approach him boldly, but not arrogantly. 360 00:23:30,660 --> 00:23:33,379 Speaker 5: The Apostle Paul set a great example for us. He 361 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:36,200 Speaker 5: accomplished a lot in the kingdom of God, but it 362 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:39,109 Speaker 5: never got to his head. He often described himself as 363 00:23:39,140 --> 00:23:42,110 Speaker 5: a wretch, ignorant, or the chief of sinners. He knew 364 00:23:42,150 --> 00:23:45,370 Speaker 5: that compared to God, he was nothing. The tax collector 365 00:23:45,430 --> 00:23:47,869 Speaker 5: had a healthy view of where he stood before God. 366 00:23:48,330 --> 00:23:50,410 Speaker 5: He knew that God was the Holy One, not him. 367 00:23:50,930 --> 00:23:55,640 Speaker 5: Jesus concludes this parable with a powerful declaration. The tax collector, 368 00:23:55,820 --> 00:24:00,300 Speaker 5: not the Pharisee, went home justified before God. This truth 369 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:04,159 Speaker 5: challenges our perceptions of worthiness and invites us to embrace 370 00:24:04,220 --> 00:24:07,580 Speaker 5: humility as a pathway to God's heart. Justification is not 371 00:24:07,619 --> 00:24:10,179 Speaker 5: a reward for righteousness, but a gift of grace to 372 00:24:10,220 --> 00:24:13,100 Speaker 5: those who humbly seek God's mercy. As we ponder the 373 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:15,659 Speaker 5: lives of Phineas and Simeon, let us be reminded that 374 00:24:15,700 --> 00:24:19,900 Speaker 5: our prayers are not performances for divine approval, but expressions 375 00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:23,560 Speaker 5: of our reliance on God's boundless mercy. May we, like 376 00:24:23,580 --> 00:24:26,920 Speaker 5: the tax collector, come to God with hearts open and broken, 377 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:30,870 Speaker 5: trusting that His grace is sufficient for us. Today, let's 378 00:24:30,970 --> 00:24:34,530 Speaker 5: choose the path of humility, recognizing our constant need for 379 00:24:34,570 --> 00:24:38,270 Speaker 5: God's grace. May our prayers reflect a genuine relationship with God, 380 00:24:38,710 --> 00:24:41,370 Speaker 5: grounded not in our own righteousness, but in His mercy. 381 00:24:42,030 --> 00:24:44,129 Speaker 5: Let us embrace the truth that we are all in 382 00:24:44,150 --> 00:24:46,890 Speaker 5: need of forgiveness and that our humble reliance on God 383 00:24:46,950 --> 00:24:50,090 Speaker 5: is what truly defines our righteousness. If we can approach 384 00:24:50,130 --> 00:24:53,730 Speaker 5: God in humility, we can actually bring our authentic selves 385 00:24:53,810 --> 00:24:57,930 Speaker 5: before Him. not masking our problems, not shying away from 386 00:24:58,030 --> 00:25:01,429 Speaker 5: our sins, but humbly acknowledging our weakness before him and 387 00:25:01,470 --> 00:25:04,510 Speaker 5: then allowing his grace to have its transformative effect in 388 00:25:04,570 --> 00:25:09,080 Speaker 5: our lives. There can be no change without humility. May 389 00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:11,180 Speaker 5: the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector inspire 390 00:25:11,220 --> 00:25:14,159 Speaker 5: us to live hearts attuned to God's mercy, walking the 391 00:25:14,180 --> 00:25:17,540 Speaker 5: journey of faith with humility and love. I'm going to 392 00:25:17,580 --> 00:25:21,139 Speaker 5: confess something. Tomorrow's episode is one of my favorites that 393 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:24,770 Speaker 5: we've done so far. It's about God's devotion and courageous 394 00:25:24,830 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 5: love for us, exemplified in how a shepherd leaves the 395 00:25:28,100 --> 00:25:30,740 Speaker 5: safety of his pasture to look for his lost sheep. 396 00:25:31,540 --> 00:25:34,159 Speaker 5: God is passionate about you and will stop at nothing 397 00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:36,859 Speaker 5: to bring you back to him. If this podcast has 398 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:39,189 Speaker 5: blessed you, consider leaving us a review. We want to 399 00:25:39,210 --> 00:25:42,950 Speaker 5: hear about how biblical storytelling and honest reflection has impacted 400 00:25:42,970 --> 00:25:46,490 Speaker 5: your walk with Christ. And for more inspiring stories, daily devotionals, 401 00:25:46,550 --> 00:25:49,100 Speaker 5: and wisdom to last a lifetime, visit Pray.com.