The Pharisee and the Publican

Luke 18:9-14

In this window, streams of blessing come from the hand of God to the humble Publican. He does not look up to heaven, knowing himself to be sinful. The self- righteous Pharisee does not receive the favor of God. He is shown in the lower part of this window. Above him is an orchid, which is used to symbolize a pride offensive to God.This window was given in memory of Dr. Theodore A. Estrem by Mrs. Estrem, Theodore, Jr. And Mrs. W. F. Braash.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “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.”