福音書的作者並不常對耶穌的比喻作任何評論，但路加在這個有名的法利賽人和稅吏的比喻裡，卻加上了自己的註腳：這個比喻是「向那些仗著自己是義人，藐視別人的」人說的（18：9）。當然，有個危險是，當我們讀這個比喻時，我們也輕看那法利賽人。人的天性往往會想辦法讓別人感覺到他的地位比較低。

        耶穌在這裡所說的比喻，就是一個代表性的例子。其中一位是自滿的敬虔派人士；另一位則是自我嫌棄的稅吏。前者充滿自信、甚至驕傲的逛進聖殿──他所熟悉熱愛的地方。後者恐懼、羞愧、侷促不安的匍匐在這個陌生的聖殿中。但，出乎聽眾意料之外的是，耶穌說上帝回應那個面容污穢的稅吏，卻拒絕了乾淨的法利賽先生。聽起來似乎不太公平！？

        若要瞭解並欣賞這個比喻裡令人震驚的真理，你可以這樣想：那個法利賽人是你，稅吏是一個作姦犯科的人。在你一生中，你從未故意去傷害任何人。你忠心的上教會、固定十一奉獻、幫助窮人。你總是預備好要為自己的信仰作見證，並願意順服、事奉上帝。事實上，在你看來，上帝還欠你什麼，因為你已經履行了你該做的部分。

        至於那個強姦犯者呢，他一生充滿了麻煩。在家裡，他被虐待；在學校，他也被責罰。社會作賤他，他則用更激烈的行為報復這個社會。作亂、打架、偷、搶……無所不來。現在，他進到這個監獄裡的小教堂，痛苦的匍匐在地板上，而那天正是你每月一次的監獄探訪，趁著禮拜還沒開始前，你有一點時間可以用來禱告。

        結果如何呢？上帝不理會你，反而褒揚他！祂輕看你自滿的禱詞，卻擁抱自責的罪犯。這到底是怎麼一回事？
很簡單，那人承認自己靈裡的貧窮，而你並不承認。當你在那裡輕鬆的禱告時，他則如同身陷地獄般的求上帝的憐憫。他的心極為愁苦，而你卻志得意滿。

        別忘了耶穌在登山寶訓所說的話：「虛心（靈裡貧窮）的人有福了！因為天國是他們的」（太5：3）。不論我們已經多麼全心的接受了基督，我們所以有權利來到祂面前，完全是因為祂先接納了我們。而起初當祂接納我們時，我們也如同那個作姦犯科的人一樣可憎和污穢。

        「上帝，開恩可憐我這個罪人」，使我們像保羅一樣看見自己是「罪人中的罪魁」，好讓我們在您面前常存悔改的態度。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        The Bible doesn’t always make an editorial comment about Jesus’ parables, but Luke does so in this instance. The famous parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is told to “some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else” (18:9 NIV). Of course, the temptation to us as we read, is to look down on the Pharisee. Human nature, as irrepressible as it is, will always manage to condescend somehow.

        This parable is a classic. On one side you have a self-satisfied religious type. On the other side is a self-disgusted con artist. One enters confidently, arrogantly, even, into the Temple – it is familiar and much loved territory. The other enters fearfully, regretfully, and awkwardly – the Temple is foreign territory. The one saunters, the other grovels. And to the surprise of the listener, Jesus says God responds to the man with the dirty face, and rejects Mr. Clean. This doesn’t seem fair, does it?

        To appreciate the shock value of this parable, think of it in these terms: the Pharisee is you and the tax collector is a convicted rapist. You’ve never knowingly hurt anybody in your life. You’ve attended church faithfully, paid your titles, and helped the poor. You are always ready to testify to your faith and intend to obey God and serve Him all your life. And, in all honesty, as you see it, God owes you something, for you’ve kept your part of the bargain.

        On the other hand, the rapist has been nothing but trouble all his life. He was kicked around at home, so he lashed out at school. Abused by society, he paid it back with ever-increasingly abusive behavior. Finally, he went on a rampage, beating, stealing and raping. Now, as he enters the prison chapel, he throws himself on the floor in anguish, while you, on your monthly prison visitation, take a moment for prayer before the chapel service.

        And guess what? God ignores you and honors him! He disregards your self-satisfied conversation and embraces his self-condemnation. What gives?

        Simply this. That man recognizes his spiritual poverty and you don’t. He cries for mercy, even as you casually converse. His feet are slipping into the pit; yours are merely slippery. He is in anguish; you are content.

        Never forget Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven” (Matt.5:3). Regardless of how wholeheartedly we’ve embraced Christ, it is only because He’s embraced us first that we have any right to stand in His presence. And when He first embraced us, we were detestably filthy; as filthy as a rapist.

        “God, be merciful to me, a sinner”. Grant, O Lord, that we may see ourselves as Paul saw himself, “Chiefest of sinners”, that we might live in a repentant attitude.