Friday 3rd July
We have gathered together to worship God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and to think about the Parable of the Two Men in the Temple.
Today we are thinking about the value of peace.
God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 ( New English Bible)
This is what God said to the prophet Samuel as he was choosing who should be the new king of Israel.
What do you think the words mean?
Learning
In our poem today, we will be hearing about Ethan and Jacob. They lived during a time when the Romans were an occupying army in Israel. The Romans ruled over the Jews. Jewish people who worked for the Romans were hated by their own community and seen as traitors.
Ethan was a Pharisee which means that he was an expert in Jewish law. He went to the Temple every day and performed all the ceremonies at just the right times. He kept the religious law in minute detail and was very proud of himself.
Jacob was also a Jew. But he worked for the Romans, collecting taxes on their behalf. He was seen as a traitor by his own people, especially the Pharisees. He was hated and shunned.
In the poem that you are going to listen to, Ethan and Jacob are going to the Temple to pray.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
By Anita Dobson
Ethan the Pharisee thinks he’s such a good man,
And he wants the world to know.
He’s so puffed up with all his plans
He can hardly see his toes!
I’m sure that God listens to all my prayers,
I’m always there to serve,
I know he’ll forgive my small mistakes
And give me what I deserve.
Jacob the tax man is on his knees,
He longs to let God in.
“Oh Lord have mercy on me,” he cries,
“My life is full of sin.”
The Pharisee stands so tall and proud,
His gaze is always down,
He sneers at the little man kneeling there
And gives him a pitying frown.
I’m sure as I do my duty each day
God hears my every word
But who will care for the likes of him,
He’ll get his just reward!
The tax man’s prayers were heard that day
So humble and not so loud
For God comes close to the ones who are meek
And turns away from the proud.
Reflecting
Remember the verse from the book of Samuel, that we thought about at the start of our worship, and the poem that we just heard.
God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 ( New English Bible)
What would God have seen as he looked into the heart of Ethan, the Pharisee?
What would God have seen in the heart of Jacob, the tax collector?
Responding
Jesus told the parable of the two men in the temple to people who were sure of their own goodness and looked down on everyone else.
Perhaps we can also sometimes think we are better than others.
As we say our prayer today, I would like you to join in with the repeated response, “Help us to see through your eyes” in the prayer.
Prayer
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ
When we are tempted to look down on others
ALL: Hep us to see through your eyes.
Leader: When we are tempted to judge people by their appearance
All: Help us to see through your eyes.
Leader: When we put ourselves before everyone else.
All: Help us to see through your eyes.
Leader: And in all that you do, may we,
Know you more clearly,
Follow you more nearly and
Love you more dearly every day.
ALL: Amen
Now we will listen to and join in, if you want to the hymn ‘Here I am to worship.’
