549th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable The Pharisee and the Tax Collector - 1st Post.

Luke 18:10 - 14, The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, 1st post.
Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess."  And the tax-collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
This parable was spoken by Jesus shortly after He raised Lazarus from the dead, and while He was hiding from the Religious Leaders in Trans-Jordan.  This would make the time about two weeks before He was to be crucified.  Jesus picked the characters in His story for several reasons.  If you have been following this blog or any length of time, you should be able to guess some of the reasons.  First, Jesus had two types of followers, Pharisees and the common people.  These two groups saw themselves and God differently.  This is what this parable is trying to show.  The Pharisee in the parable, seems very arrogant, over things he had almost no control over.  He thanked God for placing him in a good family, in a political and religious position. Then he thanks God for making him (in his eyes) better than other men.  Then he tells God all the good things he does as if this will help get him into heaven.  Jesus contrasts this person with a common believer.  Look how this man comes before the Throne of Grace.  He can not even lift his head to look up toward God.  He knows he needs a Savior.  He knows that without God's help, he will go to hell.  This is very important, we all need to understand that none of us can reach heaven on our own, we all need Jesus' help.  I will stop here and continue next post.