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The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Jesus liked telling parables to His followers. It was an interesting way for Him to teach them spiritual truths. As He went around telling His followers the Good News, He noticed that some of the church leaders were very proud of themselves for being holy. One day, He told them this story so they would learn a better way to pray.
Here is a creative way to tell this story that I performed for children of St. Martin-in-the-Fields for Children's Chapel.
One day, two men came to the Temple in Jerusalem to pray. One was a Pharisee - a very important church leader. The other was a tax collector who sometimes cheated people in order to take their money.
The Pharisee was very much respected by everybody around him, and he was very proud of that. He stood before the Lord with great pride.
(Note to the Sunday School teachers in my audience. At this point, I take out a balloon and begin filling it with hot air - my breath. As I tell the children the next part, I inflate the balloon.)
"Oh, Lord!" he cried. "Thank you so much for making me so awesome!" (Blow into the balloon.) "You have blessed me so much with virtue, and you have given me a place of honor!" (Blow into the balloon.)
I am so proud of myself. I fast twice a week just to show off to everybody how much I love You!" (Blow into the balloon.)
"I give out some of my wealth so people can see how generous I am!" (Blow into the balloon.)
"I'm a great guy! Not like that tax collector over there. He's bad news." (Blow into the balloon.)
So now the balloon is his prayer gift, and it's completely filled with hot air. He held that prayer offering out to God, and do you know what God did?
(Release the balloon and let it fly around the room as it deflates.)
God didn't like this prayer, and He did not accept it.
Then it was the tax collector's turn, and his prayer was very different.
(Once again, I pick up the balloon.)
"Dear God," he said. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." ( (Blow into the balloon.)
" I've been cheating people when I collect their taxes." (Blow into the balloon.)
"I don't have an excuse. I just got greedy." (Blow into the balloon.)
"I need to do better. Please forgive me." (Blow into the balloon.)
"I am a poor miserable sinner. Please help me become more righteous." (Blow into the balloon.)
And do you know what happened? (I tie the balloon closed.)
God accepted his prayer, and forgave him.
That's the kind of prayers God wants us to make. He doesn't want us to show off for our friends. He wants us to share all the sad, gunky stuff in our hearts and think them through as we pray for His help. He wants to think about how we treat others, and how we can do better.
(At this point, I give every child in the group their own balloon and a slip of paper.) On this paper, write down your prayer for God. Roll it up in a little scroll, and stick it inside the deflated balloon.
(Help them close the balloons.) Now, let's decorate it with a face. This is your prayer balloon, to help you remember. Only God can see it, but you know it is there. God loves you. Talk to him when you mess up, and he will forgive you.
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