The Pharisee and the Publican
“And He (Jesus) spoke this Parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others:” (Luke 18:9)
The Lord is teaching here on self-righteousness. Self-righteousness can only lead to a works based righteousness and/or a relative righteousness as we will see in this Parable. The Lord is looking for those that will come to Him, knowing that, in ourselves dwells no good thing and that we must approach Him in repentance for our sinful lives and in faith for His provision of Salvation.
“Two men went up into the Temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican” (Luke 18:10).
Two men went up to pray but the Lord would only hear one of these men. The Pharisee was a fundamentalist who professed faith in the Bible and its teachings. The Publican was a tax collector and hated by the Israel of that day. Publicans were considered traitors, and for that reason, they considered Salvation an impossibility for them.
“The Pharisee stood thus and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luke 18:11,12).
The Pharisee compared himself with others including the Publican. This is relative righteousness. He was placing himself in a superior position to others. He also believed in a works righteousness holding up his fasting and tithing as things that would gain him favor and acceptance with God. In his prayer, he asked for nothing, and received nothing.
“And the Publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
The Publicans prayer was heard, and answered, by the Lord because he approached the Lord appealing to the Lord’s Mercy and not on any worth within himself. Today, we can know that all those who approach the Lord in this way will always find that the Lord is ready to forgive and bless them with spiritual birth. The Publican here was looking to the sacrificial system in place at the time. Today, we look to the One who came and sacrificed His life on the Cross for the sins of mankind.
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for who exalts himself shall be abased; and he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14).
Justification is a work of God by which we are made right with the Lord. It is a work of Grace received by faith in Christ and Him crucified. The prayers of the Pharisee were not received by the Lord because he approached the Lord in self-righteousness with a works mentality. Because he depended on his self- righteousness, he was not justified, but lost. He asked for nothing and received nothing from the Lord.
We are to humble ourselves before the Lord. We are saved by Grace as we come to the Lord in repentance and faith in Christ and His sacrificial death at Calvary. If we ask for mercy, the result will be that we will receive God’s mercy in our lives. Regarding our Sanctification, it also comes strictly by faith. Works has no place. Sanctification is the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. We are called to do good works, but they will not gain us anything with the Lord regarding our walk with Him. We must approach the Lord just as the Publican in this Parable did. If we ask for God’s goodness and mercy in our lives, we will receive what we asked for from the Lord. Everything we receive from the Lord in this life comes by faith in His Mercy and Grace.
“For by Grace (the Goodness of God) are you saved through faith (in Christ and Him crucified); and that not of yourselves (it’s all of, and through, the Lord): it is the gift of God (through Calvary): not of works (Salvation cannot be earned by works), lest any man should boast (in our own abilities)” (Ephesians 2:8,9 commentary mine).
Always Remember,
God Loves You!
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