Spiritcode

THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR This parable compares the prayer of a proud Pharisee with the prayer of a humble tax collector, and the parable highlights the fascinating mix of power and social status between the different groups that Jesus moved amongst on his journey into Jerusalem. The Roman governors and soldiers held the ultimate and most enforceable power base and made their powerful presence felt by everybody with their unforms and swords and spears. Next on the list were the Pharisees and Sadducees and other Jewish religious leaders who had a religious tribal power base, and they made their power status felt by their robes and rituals and blatant virtue signalling of their righteous adherence to the ordinances and commandments of the Jewish Law.  Then there were Jewish landowners and traders and slave owners whose money gave them a self-satisfied sphere of influence. Then there were the general labourers and slaves in the community who went about their business of making ends meet. Then there were