The parable that I think is perhaps the most problematic or devastating of all the parables that Jesus had told is the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican.

Jesus begins the parable by saying, ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray: one a Pharisee and the other a Tax collector.’ After referring to the body language of their prayer, he briefly describes the exact prayers both of them made. The Pharisee’s prayer has several issues in it. The tax collector’s prayer was a single-line prayer. If we were to analyze their prayers, we would have to say a lot.

I will leave it there.

Now let's consider who these people were. Who was a tax collector in Jesus’ time? The emperor of a very distant foreign country had invaded and conquered the land of the Jews, which had by that time become two kingdoms, Judea and Israel. The Romans were the occupying force. The tax collectors of that time were Jews themselves, who took up the job of collecting taxes from the Jews, set by the emperor. Although the soldiers were from Rome, they hired Jews to collect the taxes. Why? Because, Jews knew their own country men and spoke their language. The money collected by the Jewish tax collectors was not spent there. Except for a very small amount spent on local infrastructure development, the rest was being taken to Rome. Therefore, the tax-collectors were rightly considered traitors who stole their own people's money and gave it to foreigners. That is why the Jewish religious leadership black-listed them. They were declared social and religious outcasts. When they began to be considered bad people by everyone, they even more became bad. They began to extort more money. When religion was expelled, they became so corrupt. They had money. But they have no social placing. Society counted them with sex-workers. Look, that's the publican Jesus is making the hero in his story.

But who was a Pharisee? He didn't steal; he wasn't corrupt. A God-fearing person; one who loved the community; a true patriot. He went to the temple regularly; read the Word of God; fasted twice a week; prayed all the prayers; gave alms. Truly an ideal person.

Financially, both men were probably on the same level. Perhaps the tax collector was likely to have a slight advantage! (No such depictions are available on the Internet! So, I am using the regular one). Try to imagine that the Pharisee as really a thin person because he fasts regularly two days a week, and the tax collector as fat and having a pot-belly. Also, try imagine the Pharisee as a respectable older person and the tax-collector as a younger person. But both are socially at the opposite ends of the spectrum. The best and respected person in society and the worst and despicable person. So?

The most problematic part of the story is the ending. "I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former" concluded Jesus. There is a little bit more: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

We can agree with all that. But if someone makes two characters like this: if we make the tax collector sound like the hero and the Pharisee like the villain - what would we say? Even in our days?

The one who tears down the society; An accomplice to immorality; someone who considers darkness light; a supporter of imperialism; a traitor of the community; someone who commits treason.

Yes. If you consider it that way, that's all what Jesus did!!