The Pharisee began his journey.
To the temple he was bound.
He purposely planned his travel
Through the center of his town.
The attention that would come his way,
Was something on which he thrived.
So he’d readied himself for the time
He’d be in the public eye.
He wore a long and flowing robe,
With borders of gold and red;
And he’d broadened the phylacteries,
That he wore on his arm and head.
He bore a sad countenance,
And a frown that was lasting,
In order that all who saw his face
Would know that he was fasting.
When the Pharisee finally arrived
Inside the marketplace,
The people could not help but notice
The disfigurement of his face.
He made his way through the people,
And as he passed them by,
Many of them shouted greetings,
And called out, “Rabbi, Rabbi!”
The Pharisee loved the attention,
And the praises of these men.
He struggled to suppress a smile,
‘Til his journey reached its end.
He soon arrived at the temple,
Where he’d carry out his chores
Of offering up his tithes,
And praying to the Lord.
He looked about the temple and found
A prominent place to stand.
He folded his hands and closed his eyes,
And then his prayer began.
He prayed using many words,
While trying to sound sincere.
And he made sure he was loud enough
For everyone to hear.
The prayer that he was uttering,
Was repetitive and long.
But in order to appear pious,
He went on and on and on.
When the Pharisee finished praying,
His duties fully complied,
He noticed there was another man,
Standing far off to his side.
He knew he was a tax collector,
A man the people reviled.
And the sight of him praying to God
Caused the Pharisee to smile.
As he shook his head in amazement,
And fought the urge to sneer,
He offered up a brief prayer,
One that no one could hear.
He said, “Lord, I’m not like other men,
Who’ve cheated, caroused and drank.
Nor am I like that tax collector,
And for that I give you thanks.”
“Oh Lord, may I remind you that
Your laws I always keep.
I give tithes of all that I possess,
And I fast twice a week.”
The Pharisee was finished now,
And he started to walk away.
He then began to think about
The remainder of his day.
He would walk back to his residence,
To get a little rest.
And then he’d attend a party,
Where he’d be the honored guest.
Standing alone at the temple,
The tax collector prepared
To offer up to the Lord
A radically different prayer.
He was mindful of his shameful past.
He was conscious of his sin.
He realized how depraved he was,
And guilt was consuming him.
His eyes, which had seen his many sins,
Were lowered to the ground.
He couldn’t raise them to heaven.
The man could only look down.
The tax collector then beast his breast,
And made a desperate plea.
He said, “Lord, I am a sinner!
Be merciful to me!”
He headed to his home,
Where he would receive no honor,
And would spend the evening alone.
After several months went by,
To no one’s dismay,
The tax collector and the Pharisee
Died on the very same day.
The two men went to heaven,
And appeared before God’s throne,
Where the Lord would look at each man’s heart
And make his judgment known.
One of the men was confident,
And held his head up high.
The other couldn’t face the Lord,
Or look him in the eye.
The Pharisee stepped forward
And shouted out, “Lord, Lord!
I am ready to receive from you
My heavenly reward!
“Lord, Lord, did I not prophesy?
Yes, your word I did proclaim!
I cast out many demons,
And did wonders in your name!”
“And may I remind you of your laws,
Which I never failed to keep.
I gave tithes of all that I possessed,
And I fasted twice a week!”
The Pharisee stepped back and waited
To receive his eternal crown.
But he was not prepared to hear
The judgment handed down.
The Lord said, “I never knew you,
And your works do not impress.
Depart from me immediately
You worker of lawlessness!”
The Pharisee was stunned at this,
The tax collector as well.
Why would this devout, religious man
Be sentenced forever to hell?
The tax collector silently
Watched the Pharisee leave,
To be separated from the Lord,
For all eternity.
Standing alone now before the Lord,
The tax collector knew
That if the Pharisee was doomed,
Then surely he was, too.
He hung his head and started to cry.
He knew what was in store.
Closing his eyes, he waited for
The judgment of the Lord.
When the man heard nothing from the throne,
It came as a surprise.
So the tax collector stopped crying,
And slowly opened his eyes.
The Lord had come down from the throne,
And was standing very near.
He reached over to the man’s face,
And wiped away his tears.
He said, “You asked for mercy,
And mercy you shall receive.”
Then he put an arm around him,
And said, “Now come with me.”
They went to the New Jerusalem,
And entered through one of its gates.
They traveled down the streets of gold,
And greeted many saints.
The Lord and the tax collector
Journeyed far and wide,
Until they arrived at a mansion,
With many rooms inside.
The Lord said, “I have a place for you,
A dwelling of your own.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Now, make yourself at home!”
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