Narrator/Storyteller (4:17)

Phinehas awoke before the sun could pierce the polished lattice of his room. The silken sheets of his cedar bed were perfectly folded. He washed his face three times, once to wake, twice to clean, and three for good measure. Phineas took a blade to his face, trimming his beard to meticulous symmetry. He examined every crease and fold of his blue French robe and adjusted the leather amulet on his headdress. As the morning rays trickled in through the window, Phineas spotted a minor blemish on his mirror. He wiped it away with his thumb, accidentally spreading it across the reflection on his face. His eyes twitched and he snarled. He took a wet rag and scrubbed the mirror incessantly until it revealed a perfectly clear image of his trimmed beard, centered amulet, and smooth robe. Sighing with relief, he retrieved some scrolls from his desk and walked out the door. The beauty of the morning escaped Phineas attention. He was too focused on the muddy beggars and loud merchants lacing the pathway between his home and the temple. A few off duty soldiers stumbled out of taverns and brothels, laughing and tripping onto the floor.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (5:40)

Despicable, he whispered.

Narrator/Storyteller (5:43)

Phineas's servant weaved through the carts and beggars and bowed at his feet. You're late, Phineas scolded.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (5:52)

The Lord rested on the seventh day, not the fourth. Davos, if we're going to be about the Lord's work, we shall give him the perfection required to glorify Him. Do you understand?

Narrator/Storyteller (6:05)

The servant bowed in contrition, saying nothing.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (6:09)

Good. Let's be on our way. We have much to accomplish before my teaching. In the courtyard at high noon, Phinehas

Narrator/Storyteller (6:16)

path to the temple was a ritual, a performance for the pious eyes that lined the cobbled streets. For the poor beggars and cripples in town. He bestowed alms with a practiced flourish. The clink of coins landing in outstretched palms echoed through the marketplace.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (6:32)

To you from the Lord.

Narrator/Storyteller (6:35)

He would shout for everyone to hear. Phinehas only gave alms to the poor in front of the temple, so the eyes of other Pharisees would be upon him. After his charity performance, Phinehas made his way to the temple storehouse. His servant carried a bag of different sacks, all labeled and weighed to a T. Phinehas had measured every ounce of grain, spices, and fruit to tithe a tenth to the Lord. He also had his income tithe in a purple linen sack secured to his side.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (7:08)

I have come to give my offering

Narrator/Storyteller (7:11)

to the Lord, phineas declared for all to hear.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (7:15)

Spices, fruits, grains, and coins, all for the glory of our God and might of the Temple. May God be praised.

Narrator/Storyteller (7:26)

Every act of charity, every mumbled verse, another layer of righteousness painted upon his already gleaming image. Many were awed at Phineas meticulous attention to the law, not seeing the current of anxious energy pulsing beneath the surface. As Phineas left the storehouse towards the hall of prayer, a man bumped into him, knocking the headdress off his head. The perfectly white material fell into the dust. Phineas seethed in anger.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (7:58)

Fool.

Narrator/Storyteller (7:59)

He yelled. The man before him smelled of stale wine, and dark rings hung underneath his eyes.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (8:07)

If you spent more time praying and less time drinking all night, you'd be more alert to the people around you. Selfish fool. I have a sermon to give later today. Now I may have to return home to clean my headdress. What do you have to say for yourself?

Narrator/Storyteller (8:24)

He shook his head, barely able to utter an apology. The man stumbled on his words, flustered and ashamed. Phineas clenched his jaw and ground his teeth.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (8:38)

You're what? Sorry? Don't apologize to me. Apologize to the Lord. It's him who is angry with you.

Narrator/Jesus Podcast Host (8:47)

Look at you.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (8:48)

From the cut of your robe, you appear to be a tax collector. You still reek from whatever debauchery you were steeped in last night. All you tax collectors are the same. It's not enough to betray your people, but now you must disgrace God by coming to his righteous temple. Scurry back to the Romans like the lapdog you are and get out of my way.

Narrator/Storyteller (9:12)

Phineas stormed off, scoffing and frantically wiping the dust off his headdress. He looked at his reflection in the fountain to adjust the amulet.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (9:21)

Thank God I am not a tax collector. Those men have no idea what judgment awaits them.

Narrator/Storyteller (9:28)

With those words, Phineas scaled the temple steps into the prayer hall. The sounds of his steps bounced up and down the halls echoing the hollow reality of his heart. With his head held high, Phineas marched up the steps and into the prayer hall. The air was thick with the smell of incense. Hushed prayers reverberated off the walls. He breathed in deeply and smiled. This is where I belong. Phineas sighed in relief. He felt comfortable within the temple walls. He approached the altar of prayer in the center of the hall. Onlookers saw him stand before the Lord. With a deep and resonant voice, Phineas prayed for all to hear.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (10:15)

God, I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, and adulterers.

Narrator/Storyteller (10:24)

The Pharisee glanced at the tax collector hobbling in the corner. His nostrils flared and he continued to pray.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (10:32)

And I thank you that I am not like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, give a tenth of all I earn, and seek

Narrator/Storyteller (10:40)

to obey your law. Everyone heard his prayer. They heard his declaration of righteousness and public display of holiness. Phinehas recited a few more prayers, then left the temple steps to continue about his day. He left unchanged Phineas. Day proceeded as planned, everything neatly in its place. Nothing remarkable happened to Phineas. He gained nothing in his prayers because, well, they were not prayers at all. His utterances in the temple were merely ornaments, like the blue fringes on his robe or the amulet on his headdress. Because of this, nothing in Phineas life would ever change. And, well, that was just how he liked it. The sunlight pierced through a hole in Simeon's closed curtains. The rays shone in his face, waking him from his feverish slumber. He awoke to a rotten stench of stale wine and regret. The remnants of another debauched night with his associates laced the floor. He propped himself up and rubbed his head. It ached from lack of sleep, lack of water, and lack of general care for himself. He propped himself up and surveyed the wreckage of his home. His house was filled with empty coffers, hung over tax collectors, sleeping prostitutes, and crumpled undergarments. As he gazed at the scene before him, he felt a gnawing hollowness in his heart. A hollowness that he knew no amount of gold or pleasure could ever fill. Simeon groaned and limped over the people sleeping on the floor. He reached the water basin and dunked his head in, trying to wash away the regret and self loathing. He took his head out of the water and looked in the mirror. The water dripped from his unkempt beard, muddying the basin below. Simeon couldn't stand his reflection. Although he was beloved by the Romans and his fellow tax collectors, he was hated by his kin. He betrayed them for a life of extravagance. At the time, Simeon felt he had no choice but to become a tax collector. He had lost a drunken wager, descended into debt, and lost his way. Turning to the Romans was a way out and a way up. Symeon later realized that moving up in the world meant moving downward. In his soul. Memories sharp as broken glass sliced through his mind. He had exploited so many innocent people. He had taken advantage of so many families. Every coin clinking in his pouch echoed with the cries of the poor. Every sip of liquor spoke of new sins to come. Every touch of silk whispered of stolen innocence.

Simeon (Tax Collector) (13:32)

Who am I?

Narrator/Storyteller (13:34)

Simeon whispered into the mirror. His guilt was a long and festering wound. He needed healing.

Simeon (Tax Collector) (13:42)

If I repented and return to God, would he even receive me?

Narrator/Storyteller (13:49)

Simeon crumpled to the floor and sobbed into his knees. Shame had grown like weeds in his heart, choking out hope for a better life.

Simeon (Tax Collector) (14:01)

Who have I become?

Narrator/Storyteller (14:03)

This was usually when Simeon returned to the bottle to drown his regret in more regret. But this time was different. The light peeking in through the curtain grew brighter as the sun rose, reaching his sobbing cheek. It was as if God was reaching out to him, extending a hand of hope. Simeon was a broken man. But for a brief and divine moment, his resolve to return to God was awakened. Simeon ran out the door. The morning sun attacked Simeon's eyes. Where are you going, Simeon? One of his friends called from inside. There are no tasks for today. Come back to bed. Everything in Simeon's body ached to be back inside under the covers. But the pain of limping in the light was nothing compared to the anguish of remaining in darkness. He ignored the voice of temptation and hobbled his way up the path towards the temple. Its gleaming white and golden walls shone brilliantly in the distance. It was a beacon of hope, a lighthouse in the stormy sea. That was Simeon's life.

Simeon (Tax Collector) (15:14)

Will God accept me? Am I worthy of mercy?

Narrator/Storyteller (15:21)

He wondered. Every face Simeon passed was a reflection of his sin. They scowled at him as he walked. They spat in his direction and cursed him as he passed. Tax collectors usually had Roman guards assigned to them for protection. That is how hated they were by the Jews. Simeon's journey to the temple was dangerous in a way. He reached the temple steps, legs trembling, and hesitated. Could God ever hear the prayers of a soul as black as his? Just as he took another step forward, he stumbled into a Pharisee and knocked his headdress off. The perfectly white material fell into the dust. The Pharisee yelled, fool. Simeon looked up at the Man. He was adorned in perfectly tailored robes, glimmering in the sunshine. He was clearly an important man with a busy schedule. Simeon felt the Pharisee's judgment piercing through his eyes. But it was his words that stabbed him the most.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (16:22)

If you spent more time praying and less time drinking all night, you'd be more alert to the people around you. Selfish fool. I have a sermon to give later today. Now I may have to return home to clean my headdress. What do you have to say for yourself?

Narrator/Storyteller (16:39)

Simeon's lower lip quivered in shame. Was this a sign that God didn't want him there? Had he made a mistake in coming to the temple? Simeon shook his head, barely able to utter an apology. He stumbled on his words, flustered and ashamed.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (16:59)

You're what? Sorry. Don't apologize to me. Apologize to the Lord. It's him who is angry with you.

Narrator/Jesus Podcast Host (17:08)

Look at you.

Phinehas (Pharisee) (17:09)

From the cut of your robe, you appear to be a tax collector. You still reek from whatever debauchery you were steeped in last night. All you tax collectors are the same.

Narrator/Storyteller (17:22)

The Pharisee stormed off, content to leave Simeon in a pool of self loathing. The broken tax collector looked down at his feet. He dared not look up. He couldn't lift his eyes. He wasn't worthy. Although the Pharisee was harsh in his words, he was right. Simeon's life had spiraled out of control. He had betrayed his people, disgraced God, and become a lapdog for the Romans. Yet even dogs could beg at the table of the Lord. Yes. With his head held low, Simeon marched up the steps and into the prayer hall. The air was thick with the smell of incense. Hushed prayers reverberated off the walls.

Simeon (Tax Collector) (18:03)

This is no place for someone like me.

Narrator/Storyteller (18:06)

Sim in thought.

Simeon (Tax Collector) (18:09)

But if this is where the Lord is, this is where I want to be.

Narrator/Storyteller (18:17)

The tax collector found an open space in the corner to pray. He didn't want to be seen. With his head still low, Simeon labored with what to say. His throat tensed and his heart pounded out of his chest. He dared not look up. He dared not sully the Lord's temple with his gaze. He strained for words, but nothing would come out. He had ignored God for so long. He had neglected his soul. He felt like a shriveled plant desperate for one drop of rain. God, he whispered. His voice barely broke through the echoing hymns and prayers of the people beside him. His face trembled, holding his tears back.

Simeon (Tax Collector) (19:01)

God.

Narrator/Storyteller (19:02)

The dam holding back his sorrow cracked each time he began his prayer. Finally, he beat his chest and gritted his teeth.

Simeon (Tax Collector) (19:13)

God have mercy on me, sinner.

Narrator/Storyteller (19:19)

That's when the dam finally broke. Years of shame and sorrow burst out of him. Tears fell onto the polished stone floor. He confessed his sins not with grand pronouncements, but with raw, broken sobs. Although short and silent, his prayer reverberated into heaven's halls.

Narrator/Jesus Podcast Host (19:41)

Jesus gestured to the Pharisees.

Narrator/Storyteller (19:45)

Both these men stood before God in prayer. But I tell you, the tax collector went home justified before God.

Narrator/Jesus Podcast Host (19:55)

The crowd stirred at the idea of a tax collector receiving favor before a Pharisee. Yet Jesus was resolute in his point. He stepped toward the Pharisees, pleading with them to see the error of their ways. Their hearts had been corrupted by pride and self reliance.

Narrator/Storyteller (20:16)

Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled, but whoever humbles themself will be exalted.

Zach (Jesus Podcast Host/Commentator) (20:26)

Phinehas, adorned in his meticulous attire, represents an all too familiar posture in our spiritual the external adherence to religious practice. While the heart remains distant and neglected, his prayers, filled with self congratulation and comparison, echo the hollow sound of pride in his certainty of his superiority. Phinehas misses the essence of true righteousness, which is a relationship with God grounded in humility and love. As we reflect on Phinehas approach to God, we are invited to examine our own hearts. How often do we measure our own spirituality by external markers, comparing ourselves to others to affirm our standing before God? The danger of self righteousness in comparison is that it blinds us to our own need of God's grace, leading us to trust in our own deeds rather than God's mercy. Contrast that with Simeon's journey to the temple. His journey is marked by an awareness of his brokenness and a desperate longing for God's forgiveness. His prayer, simple yet profound. God, be merciful to me. A sinner captures the essence of a heart truly seeking God. Simeon's humility allows him to recognize his need for God's grace, setting the stage for genuine transformation. Because there can be no genuine change in our lives, no genuine transformation of the soul, unless we first recognized our need for God. In Simeon's tearful plea, we find the courage to confront our own sins and grace to approach God with a humble heart. This story should give us boldness that it doesn't matter what we've done. What matters is how we bring ourselves to God in humility and what we do after we've come before him. His prayer reminds us that our righteousness doesn't earn God's love and mercy. Those things are freely given to those who recognize their need for Him. We're also stricken by the posture of Phinehas. He's so confident and arrogant when he speaks to God. A passage from Ecclesiastes comes to mind. Listen to the words of Solomon when he talks about approaching. Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near and listen rather than offer sacrifice of fools who do not know that they've done anything wrong. Ecclesiastes 5:1 intimate and transformative prayer requires two one, it requires an awareness of God, and two it requires an awareness of self. So first it requires an awareness of God. We must realize God's vastness, holiness, and power when we approach him in prayer. Jesus reminds us that our prayer should begin with recognizing God's righteousness. Hallowed be thy name. God is our friend and our counselor, but he's still God. He's holy, he's righteous, he's apart from us. He's not your homeboy or your buddy. He's the Lord of all creation, and he should be approached with reverence, respect, and awe. This leads to our second step to intimate and transformative prayer, and that's awareness of self. The Pharisee approached God like a fool. He didn't take any time to reflect or consider the state of his own heart. If he did, he would have realized how arrogant and vain he was. God wants us to approach him boldly, but not arrogantly. The apostle Paul set a great example for us. He accomplished a lot in the kingdom of God, but it never got to his head. He often described himself as a wretch, ignorant, or the chief of sinners. He knew that compared to God, he was nothing. The tax collector had a healthy view of where he stood before God. He knew that God was the Holy One, not him. Jesus concludes this parable with a powerful the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God. This truth challenges our perceptions of worthiness and invites us to embrace humility as a pathway to God's heart. Justification is not a reward for righteousness, but a gift of grace to those who humbly seek God's mercy. As we ponder the lives of Phinehas and Simeon, let us be reminded that our prayers are not performances for divine approval, but expressions of our reliance on God's boundless mercy. May we, like the tax collector, come to God with hearts open and broken, trusting that his grace is sufficient for us today. Let's choose the path of humility, recognizing our constant need for God's grace. May our prayers reflect a genuine relationship with God grounded not in our own righteousness. But in his mercy, let us embrace the truth that we are all in need of forgiveness and that our humble reliance on God is what truly defines our righteousness. If we can approach God in humility, we can actually bring our authentic selves before him, not masking our problems, not shying away from our sins, but humbly acknowledging our weakness before him and then allowing his grace to have its transformative effect in our lives. There can be no change without humility. May the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector inspire us to live hearts attuned to God's mercy, walking the journey of faith with humility and love I'm going to confess something. Tomorrow's episode is one of my favorites that we've done so far. It's about God's devotion and courageous love for us, exemplified in how a shepherd leaves the safety of his pasture to look for his lost sheep. God is passionate about you and will stop at nothing to bring you back to Him. If this podcast has blessed you, consider leaving us a review. We want to hear about how biblical storytelling and honest reflection has impacted your walk with Christ. And for more inspiring stories, daily devotionals, and wisdom to last a lifetime, visit pray.com.