The Tax Collector

What kind of story might be behind this placid face making entries into a ledger? In Israel during Roman occupation he was considered to be amongst the disgusting sinners and most despised. He collected money for the Roman government and was the worst of the worst. His evils are legendary. He taxes who he wants, and legionnaires back him up with brutal power. He retains a sizable percentage for himself.

Does he go about his business with a demonic scowl upon his face? Does he spew forth obscenities and stench with every breath? No. He probably appears just like you and me. He works hard. He has a family. He loves his children. He has pets. He laughs and is fun at parties. He might be a great neighbor, generous at times, and helpful to senior citizens. 

Does he think himself quite evil? Perhaps not. Perhaps he sees Rome as a force of great civilization upon a nasty unruly realm. 

"What have the bloody Romans ever done for us?", the people rage in a Monty Python skit. "Well, there's the aqueduct...the streets are safe at night...the fresh water is nice... the libraries are helpful, the paved roads...the criminal justice system, the sea lanes are safe from pirates, the literature, art, architecture, buildings, protection..." Israel takes from Rome, but is unwilling to give back for the very saving of their lives. Who knows what barbaric nation would come conquering had not Rome paid treasure and blood for this fragile desert nation?. No merchant could make money without a stable economy, currency, justice system, and enforceable contracts. "All this costs money!" the tax collector demands. If Rome was so evil, why does God allow it to rule over Israel? Besides, what of the lying merchants who rob the people blind?

"It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. Proverbs 20:14 

"The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight." Proverbs 11:1 


Yet one particular tax collector lost his ability to justify himself before God. Perhaps he thought of those he robbed. Perhaps all his collections weren't so 'righteous'. He remembers the widow who lost her home. He remembers the children cast into the streets after he had their father dragged away in chains:

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:10-14

We all have a tale to tell. We all have good within us made in the image of God. We all have evil from our own choices mixed with the wickedness of those who have wounded us and the workmanship of Satan. If you cannot see this about yourself, then you must kneel next to the Pharisee in Jesus' story. None of us will be able to stand before a perfect and holy God in our own righteousness. His glory, power and presence will bring us all to our knees. Sometimes, the tax collector type can see this before the goodish religious person. May we all choose humility and accept the righteousness He provided in the sacrifice of His Son. Such a glorious unspeakable gift!