The Parables of Jesus: Blind Spots - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican

Jesus told the story of a tax collector who “went to his house justified” rather than a religious Pharisee. Why was the tax collector justified while the Pharisee (who thought he was), was not? He had a blind spot. It was a “sanctimonious separation”- his self-righteousness separated him from God. “Sanctus”= holy, “sanctimonious”= sanctify- he trusted in himself to be righteous. Being sanctimonious is to show oneself “holy”, “righteous” and superior to others (believing it was by ones own efforts). Luke says Jesus told this story “to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt.” Among Christians, the Pharisees take it on the chin a lot. But they were just trying to be faithful. But their religious devotion had blinded them. This should terrify us. The Pharisee was blind to his spiritual condition, the publican was not.