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Luke 18:9-14
In this passage Jesus teaches a parable addressed to those who consider themselves righteous because of their own doing. In this parable two men went to the temple to pray; one, a Pharisee, the self-righteous man, prayed thanksgiving that he was not like others that he considered sinful. Then he gave an account of all the things he did which he considered to make himself righteous. The other man, a tax collector (considered to be one of the most sinful of all) stood in the distance feeling unworthy to approach the temple. He kept his head bowed in submission as he cried out to God for mercy. Jesus then proclaims that the tax collector went home justified rather than the Pharisee.
This is an example that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 18:14).
This lesson should touch each of our hearts as we all have a desire to show others how good we are/or can be, but salvation in Christ Jesus is found in Him. We receive salvation not by showing God how good we are or can be, but by humbly submitting ourselves to Him. Salvation is not gained by or from what we do or have done, but by what Jesus has done for us. We must realize this truth or we will never be able to humble ourselves before our Savior and ask of His forgiveness. Jesus died for our sins. Jesus was risen from the grave because death was not powerful enough to hold Him. Jesus overcame death for us! Jesus said that if we will believe in Him (what He has done for us) we will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
Dear Lord,
We all have a desire to be good enough in Your eyes. We all want to be worthy of Your acceptance. But Jesus teaches us that we must humble ourselves and give up our will for our lives to seek the life that You have for us if we are to receive eternal life. Please help us to see that it is not what we have done or ever will do, but what Jesus has done for us that we must humbly submit to in receiving the forgiveness that sets us free from sin for eternity. Please help us to put our trust, our faith, and our lives in Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.