The riches found in Luke 18! In that beautiful chapter we find the Parable of the Persistent Widow, which re-emphasizes the need to be persistent in prayer. Jesus also welcomes the children who are brought to Him and reminds us that we are to be like little children in welcoming the kingdom of God.
Then there are two interactions. The first with the Rich Young Ruler and the second with a blind man who loudly asks Jesus to restore His sight.
If you have read the chapter, you know I skipped over the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector [vs 9-14].
Jesus speaks of two men who went into the temple complex to pray. The first, a Pharisee, reminds God that “I’m not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers or even like this tax collector.”
The second man is that tax collector. His reaction to God is completely different. “God, turn Your wrath from me—a sinner!”
Jesus tells His listeners that the tax collector went home justified rather than the Pharisee “because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Oh, precious LORD, how often we are more like that Pharisee than we are the tax collector! We look at others who do not hold our viewpoint on so many things and we say, “I’m glad I’m not like other people …!” And, yet, with that attitude we are.
I will probably offend many when I say this, but there are far too many Pharisees in the church today. God is calling us to remember the pit from which we have been dug … and to pray for those who do not know Christ Jesus as Savior and LORD.
Psalm 40:1-3: I waited patiently for the LORD, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. [HCSB]