“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: ‘Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
Devotional Thought For The Day
Of the two men, we would think that the first, the Pharisee, would be the real friend of God. Look at his track record, and how he “thanked” God for all the good in his life, praising God. However, those convinced of their own “righteousness” inevitably compare themselves favorably to others, treating them with contempt. Regardless of how thickly we cloak our arrogance and hypocrisy from others and even from ourselves, all such smug self-righteousness is in reality self-exalting, untruthful, and repugnant to God. It is also repugnant to humble, genuinely repentant believers in Jesus. And it is certain, as Jesus asserts, that all who exalt themselves will be humbled. Lord, have mercy!
On the other hand, we would hardly think that a person who had absolutely nothing with which to commend himself, who utterly humbled himself and threw himself solely upon the mercy and gracious forgiveness of God, could be a real friend of God. Yet as Jesus asserted: “this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.” And it is a remarkable thing, what Jesus asserts, that “the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” So it is that Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them [Luke 15:2], and that the Father welcomes back the prodigal children who have wasted His property and fetes them [Luke 15:30]. At the same time “those who trust in themselves” remain outside of the party, and outside of fellowship with Jesus and the Father. His party with us is always a celebration of His gracious forgiveness, mercy, and love. Lord, have mercy!
I think we can answer for ourselves which is the better circumstance, that of the self-righteous Pharisee who trusted in his own righteousness and treated others with contempt, or that of the poor humble tax-collector who sought only the gracious mercy and forgiveness of God – and was justified by such faith. He would not have compared himself favorably with others; his contempt was reserved for himself, in honest and truthful view of his own sin and guilt. His praise was reserved solely for God, for His mercy and forgiveness. I think we also know which “circumstance” is more natural and comfortable for our sinful nature – to exalt ourselves and to treat others with contempt. But this, according to Jesus, should drive us to even greater humility and repentance, that in spite of our own sin we would despise others for their sin. And He warns us that those who do this are sure to be humbled, and that they remain “un-justified” in their relationship with God. Lord, have mercy!
That we could behave in this manner should cause us great alarm and concern, and a very serious re-thinking of our judgments – those we make in regard to ourselves, and our judgments of others. We should remember that wrong judgments against others are also wrong judgments against God! Again, we know what comes naturally to us and even this requires deep repentance – the kind exhibited by the tax-collector. What we fear, that if we are utterly honest and fully repentant God will surely reject us, is absolutely wrong-headed. Just the opposite is the case – that God looks to the one who is humble and contrite in spirit, the one who trembles at His Word [Is. 66:2]. These are the real friends of God, and not the others. May we always have such faith and trust in God to live completely in His mercy!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to grow in the knowledge of Your great love and mercy so that we may grow in our honesty and integrity before You, in our repentance and humility. Especially we pray that You would strengthen and increase our faith, so that even in our contrition we find great joy and consolation in Your gracious mercy, forgiveness, and love. Help us to exude the same compassion and mercy toward all others, especially our fellow believers. Amen.