The View From the Back of the Room
Luke 18:9-14 • October 26, 2025
Luke 18:9-14 (NASV)
9 He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Isaiah 64:6
For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment…
Psalm 51:17
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.