Jesus tells this parable in Luke 18:9-14.  Jesus says in Luke 18:10-17, ” Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a pharisee, and the other a publican.  The pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee 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.  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon 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 every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” The NIV reads verse 14 this way, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

It is very clear that the tax collector (publican) is the one who truly was humble.  He asked for forgiveness for everything he did.  He didn’t even want to look up.  He knew he sinned and needed forgiveness.

The tax collector on the other hand was not humble at all.  Instead of spending time asking God for forgiveness, he spent his time telling God how great he was.  He told God what he was better than others, he gave, etc.  Really the tax collector talked like everyone was beneath him.  In James 2 the bible talks about not being a respecter of persons.  God loves the tax collector just as much as He loves the pharisee.

Don’t spend time telling God what you do or how great you think you are.  He knows what you do.  He alone is great, and we are all sinners.  If we were perfect, then there would have been no reason for Jesus to come and be crucified.  God wants us to be humble.  Listen to what Jesus said.  Each of us makes mistakes; that is what makes us human.  We all sin, so we all need forgiveness.  We all need to seek forgiveness as the publican and say, “God have mercy on me a sinner.”   The bible says, “for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  Sin is sin;  the bible tells us what sin is, but large or small it still is sin and leads to death.  The Good News is that Jesus died on the cross so all our sins can be forgiven. This is God’s gift to each of us. Now that Jesus has conquered sin, we can have eternal life in heaven with Him.  We need to repent of our sins and become a new creature in Christ.  Make Him the Lord of your life.  If you want eternal life in heaven with Jesus and to be part of God’s family pray the below prayer out loud and from your heart.

Dear Father I pray in the Name of Jesus, please come into my life. Forgive me of all my sins. I believe that You are the Son of God and You died on the cross and rose from the dead to make a way for me.  Thank you for loving me enough to die for me on the cross so my sins can be forgiven. I accept you as my Lord and Savior.  Please come into my heart.  I make you my Lord and Savior.  I love you.  Thank you Jesus!  In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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