The story
Jesus told a story about two men who went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, a man who tried hard to keep all the rules. He thought he was better than everyone.
The Pharisee stood up tall where everyone could see. He prayed in a loud voice. “God, thank you that I am so good! I am not like other people. I am not like that tax collector!”
He puffed out his chest and smiled. He thought God must be very pleased with him.
The tax collector stood far away. He did not even look up. He tapped his chest sadly and whispered, “God, please be kind to me. I have done wrong things.”
Jesus said, “It was the tax collector who went home right with God, not the proud man.” God loves it when we come to him honestly, just as we are.
We do not have to pretend we are perfect. We can tell God when we are sorry. He is always ready to forgive us.
