A Few Thoughts on the Pharisee of Luke 18: 9-14.
By James Ertzenberger
VERY many among Christians think very little and speak despitefully of the Pharisee in the parable of this chapter. Generally it is thought that this man was bad without any good qualities. It is true that he did not humble himself, and therefore his sins were not forgiven. Verse 14. But I would like to ask, Was the Pharisee of this chapter as wicked as many think him? To find a true answer to this, let us look at the matter a little more carefully. Webster defines the word Pharisee to mean, “One of a sect among the Jews, noted for a strict observance of rites and ceremonies, and of the traditions of the elders, and whose pretended holiness led them to separate themselves from the other Jews.” According to this, he was a Jew and not a Gentile, consequently knowing the true and living God. That this is so, may be seen through the Scriptures. We read in the Acts 26:5, that the sect of the Pharisees was the “most straitest” of the Jewish religion. According to this testimony of Scripture, we may believe that the Pharisees did not trifle with the word of God, as is the case with many of our time who bear the name of Christ. In verse 10 we read that the Pharisee went up into the temple. For what purpose was that? It is stated by our Lord to pray. How many of our time habitually go to the meeting-house? And how many go for the special purpose of praying? Not seldom does it occur that church-members excuse themselves from going, and remain at home, or go after their worldly pleasures and gains. And among those who go up into the temple, how many do it from custom, or to meet others, to see and to speak to them; or to show their dress? How many young men go to see young ladies, and very often older ones to see this one and that one. Now let us listen to their conversation. Not only when going to the church, but even in the Lord’s house, they speak profanely. The subjects of their conversation are their worldly gains and labors, their houses and fields, their horses and cattle, their worldly pleasures and how to pass the day. And did you never see sleeping ones? After leaving the house of worship, how many know just as little about the word which was spoken by the minister as if they had not been. Their minds were occupied by other things, and controlled by the devil. Such are many of those who condemn the Pharisee. He went up into the temple to pray. Did they go up for the same purpose? It is true he prayed in a way and manner so that the Holy One could not hear and answer him. He went down in his sins. But do you think that he was doing as bad as most of the church-members of to-day? I think not. Please read Mark 7:1-13; Col. 2:18-23. But one point more in proof that the Pharisee of the parable was not a bad, but an honorable and moral man. Considering verses 11 and 12, we can conclude that he observed outwardly the requirements of the decalogue. After a careful examination of these two passages no one will say that he was a wicked man. No, we all must admit that he was a better one than many professing Christians. Here we learn that this Pharisee gave tithes of all he possessed. Did he rob God as it is written in Mal. 3:8? By no means. But there are Christians who are behind this Pharisee in this respect. They have to give tithes, but are not faithful in doing it, without speaking of those who give nothing. What will be said of them? How will they stand in the sight of God? True, this is a parable: but what a great lesson may be taken from it. I think at least that some mistake in the case of the Pharisee. And dear Christian friends, who will measure himself with this Pharisee? Are there not those among us who feel in examining this subject guilty of this sin or that one? If there is any one, and doubtless there will be, let me invite you to come to the Lord with humbling yourselves, confessing and forsaking your sins. And should there be one among us who has robbed men or God, then let me beseech of you to follow the example of a Zaccheus in Luke 19:8, and surely also to you will it be said as to him, “This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he is also a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:9, 10.” Read also prayerfully Mal. 3:7-17. May the Lord help you to feel in reading it. May the Lord bless these feeble words of your unworthy brother. May we all make haste to get ready for our final account. JAMES ERTZENBERGER. Tramelan, Switzerland, July, 1871.