For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted — Luke 18:14b
Jesus spoke a parable to those who trusted in themselves and despised others… a Pharisee and a tax collector went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself, saying, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; [and] I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:11-12) The tax collector, on the other hand, would not come near nor look up to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13)
The Pharisee followed the law and refused to see himself as a sinner. He saw himself as a perfect man, who never broke the law, and therefore justified himself before God — He exalted himself. On the other hand, the tax collector saw his sin and felt unworthy to come into the the presence of a Holy God. Standing from afar and not looking up to heaven, he asked God to be merciful to him. No matter how shameful and sorrowful he may have felt, he humbled himself and went before God. The tax collector was honest and God forgave him… and exalted him. But God humbled the Pharisee that he may come to know that he needs a Savior.
God wants us to come to Him in truth, not pretending to be good, but laying down our lives and revealing our hearts to Him. He wants us to recognize our sinfulness and seek Him for His forgiveness. When we are honest before God, He is merciful toward us. Jesus said, “I tell you, this man [the tax collector] went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)
Today, know that your Heavenly Father loves you and cares for you. Like a little child, humble yourself and receive Him (Jesus) and enter into His Kingdom.
He humbled himself and went before God beating his breast and saying “God, be merciful to me a sinner!”
Meditate on…
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted — Luke 18:14b NKJV
