Date:
Speaker: Sally Murphy
In this parable about the heart, Jesus talks about the prayers of two characters; A Pharisee and a tax collector.
The Pharisee’s prayer was self focussed, he was blinded to his need for a saviour, his confidence was in himself, he feels righteus by comparing himself to others. He saw God as his scorekeeper, but although leading a good life, his sin was one of pride and arrogance and a hard heart towards God.
The tax collector’s prayer was the opposite. He recognised his own sin and his need for a saviour. He was seeking God’s mercy.
Sally shared that it is God alone who makes us righteous, we love because God first loved us (1 John 4v19). Based on this, we don’t judge others (one of the Pharisee’s faults). Our job is to share the good news of God’s unconditional love (grace) for us (See Ephesians 2v8,9)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Read Matt 23v23. What was the Pharisee doing well? If he joined the church, how could we encourage him to develop his faith in Jesus? What can we learn in our own loves from this Pharisee?
- What did the tax collector get so right? What can we learn from him? If he joined the church, how could we encourage him in his journey?