April 16th
In our NT reading for today, we find the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector:
Luke 18:9-14
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
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.” (ESV)
The haughty spirit of the Pharisee and the humble spirit of the tax collector certainly contrast each other. There have been and still are many times in my life when I have felt like the tax collector and prayed for God to be merciful to me, a sinner. In my experiences in Christianity, I have to be honest and tell you that I have seen many like the Pharisee, who are puffed up and egotistical about their "spirituality", rather than those like the tax collector, who seek the tender mercies of God because they know they cannot stand before God without them.
The Reformation Study Bible gives a concise comment about the tax collector:
"18:13 lift up his eyes to heaven. Looking upward was usual while praying, but this man was too conscious of unworthiness to do this. He simply asked for mercy as he acknowledged his sin."
It further states"
"18:14 justified. The Pharisee relied on his own merits, not having discovered that no human righteousness is sufficient before a God who demands perfection (Matt. 5:48). The tax collector relied on God’s mercy and found it."
May we remain humble and thankful for the mercy of God towards us sinners saved by grace.
1 John 1:7-10
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV)
Maranatha! IC -|- XC
Prayer for Today:
Thank you lord for having mercy upon us. We could not stand before your wrath against sin or your judgment of it, without your grace and mercy. You have set us free from the penalty of sin and given us eternal life through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
In our NT reading for today, we find the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector:
Luke 18:9-14
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
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.” (ESV)
The haughty spirit of the Pharisee and the humble spirit of the tax collector certainly contrast each other. There have been and still are many times in my life when I have felt like the tax collector and prayed for God to be merciful to me, a sinner. In my experiences in Christianity, I have to be honest and tell you that I have seen many like the Pharisee, who are puffed up and egotistical about their "spirituality", rather than those like the tax collector, who seek the tender mercies of God because they know they cannot stand before God without them.
The Reformation Study Bible gives a concise comment about the tax collector:
"18:13 lift up his eyes to heaven. Looking upward was usual while praying, but this man was too conscious of unworthiness to do this. He simply asked for mercy as he acknowledged his sin."
It further states"
"18:14 justified. The Pharisee relied on his own merits, not having discovered that no human righteousness is sufficient before a God who demands perfection (Matt. 5:48). The tax collector relied on God’s mercy and found it."
May we remain humble and thankful for the mercy of God towards us sinners saved by grace.
1 John 1:7-10
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV)
Maranatha! IC -|- XC
Prayer for Today:
Thank you lord for having mercy upon us. We could not stand before your wrath against sin or your judgment of it, without your grace and mercy. You have set us free from the penalty of sin and given us eternal life through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
