Two Men Pray

Some people thought they were better than everyone else. So Jesus told them this story:

Two men went to the temple to pray.

The first man was a Pharisee—a super religious guy. He stood up tall where everyone could see him.

'God, THANK YOU that I'm not like other people! I'm not a cheater or a liar. I'm definitely not like THAT guy over there—that tax collector! I fast twice a week. I give lots of money to the temple. I'm pretty great!'

He wasn't really praying to God. He was bragging about HIMSELF!

The second man was a tax collector. In those days, tax collectors were hated because they often cheated people. This man knew he had done wrong things.

He stood far away. He wouldn't even look up to heaven. He beat his chest sadly and prayed:

'God... have mercy on me. I'm a sinner.'

That's ALL he said.

Jesus asked, 'Which man went home right with God?'

Not the proud Pharisee! The humble tax collector!

The Pharisee thought he was SO good that he didn't need God's help. The tax collector knew he was a sinner and asked for mercy.

God doesn't want us to brag about how good we are. He wants us to be humble and admit we need Him. When we ask for God's mercy, He gives it!