Two men were wending their way towards God's Temple at Jerusalem,
a Pharisee and a Publican.
There, on a hill, stood the beautiful building with its white marble
pillars glistening in the sun; and as they walked along the hot roads
towards God's House, their thoughts were very different.
They knew that God's Holy Presence was in that Temple to which they
were going, and one of them thought with awe that he would soon be in
the place where he would meet with God.
The other man was thinking entirely about himself, and nothing at all
about God.
So they ascended the many steps leading up into the Temple, and at last
stood within the Sacred House.
* * * * *
And then the Pharisee thought of how he understood all about God's law,
and how he did not need anyone to teach him what was written in the
Scriptures.
But he did not know two things which would have made him a different
man—he did not know his own heart, and he did not know God's heart.
He did not know that his own heart was full of pride and love of self;
he did not know that God's heart was full of pity and tender love
towards sinful men who came to Him to be forgiven.
So the Pharisee began to pray. And when the Lord Jesus told us this
story about him, He said "he stood and prayed thus with himself."