Lesson 105: Two Prayers, Two Paths to God (Luke 18:9-14)

Two men tell two very different stories in this account. One man, the Pharisee, looks heavenward in prayer while basing his standard of righteousness on horizontal comparisons. The second man, a tax collector, turned his eyes down in prayer but sent his heart heavenward in a plea for mercy from the true Judge. The latter was the only one found acceptable in God’s sight. Daniel helps us to think through this parable from Jesus by challenging us to, “decide whether your relationship with God will depend upon your works or His mercy.” Are our works self-righteous in nature or is our life characterized by God-exalting humility?

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff