Luke 18: Are You A Publican?
Verse of the Day: V10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.”
1. Pray (V1-8)
V1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
Jesus taught His disciples of a parable of a judge who feared not God and man, and refused to help a poor widow, yet finally acceded to her request for justice against her enemy, because she was so persistent in asking him for help. If an unjust judge could help a poor widow, how much more should we persist in praying to our God who loves us so much and shall surely hear and answer our prayers according to His will and for our good.
V7 “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”
2. Publican (V9-34)
V10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.”
Jesus taught His disciples of a parable of two men who went to the temple to pray; one a Pharisee, and the other a publican or tax collector who was despised by the people because as a Jew he was collecting taxes on behalf of the Romans and was seen as a traitor. The Pharisee prayed and boasted of how much he had done for God while the publican pleaded with God to have mercy on him. However, God forgave the publican because he was humble, but God did not forgive the Pharisee because he was proud.
V14 “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.”
3. Praise (V35-43)
V42 “And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”
Jesus healed the blind beggar because he had great faith to believe that Jesus was the Son of David, and pleaded with Jesus to have mercy on him. After he received his sight, he immediately followed Jesus and glorified God. The people who witnessed the miracle also praised God. Indeed, let us praise God for who He is and what He has done for us.
V43 “And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please humble me as I am a publican, a sinner, saved by grace.
