Losing the Crushing Burden
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Finding the Gospel in the compelling parable of the Pharisee and the Publican.
Text: Luke 18:9-14
Date: 11/17/2024, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 170
Description:
For the second time in a row, Jesus tells a parable where a simple discussion of prayer sets the scene for a deeper discussion of justification. The parable tells the story of two men who are polar opposites, worshiping alongside the congregation in the Temple, at the time of the daily sacrifices. The Pharisee's prayer is more like a sermon, extolling his virtues to God and those around him, while harshly judging the tax-collector. For his part, the publican stands at a distance in humility begging God for mercy. When we consider the surroundings, the liturgy of the worship service, and the meaning of the words he speaks-- we will realize the penitent man is praying for atonement. We will analyze what that means and consider the man's intentions in sharp contrast to those of the Pharisee. We will note how Jesus uses Old Testament soteriology to emphasize the importance of faith, humility and brokenness in the conversion process leading to justification. We will compare the man's substantial sin as a great burden that has grown so large it threatens to crush Him. Ultimately we will discover what a blessing it is for any fallen sinner to realize the crushing burden of their own sin and turn to God to lose it.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 18:9-14.
A. Context
B. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
1. Luke's introduction, vs. 9.
a. Looking at the form.
i. Another chiastic structure.
ii. A parable concerning prayer, Luke 18:1.
b. Noticing the audience.
2. Setting the scene of the parable, vs. 10.
a. Polar opposites.
i. The Pharisee, Matt. 5:20.
ii. The tax-collector.
b. The location, Luke 2:42.
c. The activity, Psa. 35:18, 111:1; Isa. 56:7.
d. Digesting the scene.
3. The Pharisee's "prayer", vs. 11-12.
a. Differing translations.
b. The "body language", vs. 11a.
i. "Pharisee" means "set apart".
ii. Ceremonial defilement.
c. The nature of the "prayer", vs. 11b; Matt. 6:5.
d. The content of the "prayer", vs. 11c-12.
i. The lame oblation.
1) A self-glorifying prayer.
2) A man who needs nothing.
ii. His view of the "am-haaretz", Matt. 7:1-5.
iii. His view of himself.
1) Fasting twice a week, Matt. 6:1,16-18; Lev. 16:29; Luke 5:33-35.
2) Tithing all that he had, Deut. 14:22-23; Matt. 6:2-4; Luke 11:42.
3) The climactic "middle", Eph. 5:18; Mark 7:6-9.
4. The publican's prayer, vs. 13.
a. Describing the publican.
i. Through different eyes.
ii. The publican's location.
iii. The publican's stance.
iv. Pounding his chest.
1) A rare action, Luke 23:48.
2) A symbolic action, Matt. 15:18-19; Luke 11:39-40.
b. The publican's prayer.
i. The realization of his sin, 1Tim. 1:15.
ii. The cry for atonement.
1) Not the normal word for "mercy", Psa. 51:1; Luke 16:24, 18:38.
2) An alternate word, Heb. 2:17.
iii. Imagining the scene.
5. The compelling conclusion, vs. 14.
a. Justification.
i. Returning to everyday life, Luke 19:8.
ii. The question of righteousness.
b. The proverb, Hab. 1:13.
III. Application
A. For the unbeliever.
B. For the believer.
IV. Conclusion
