““But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.””
Luke 18:13-14 NIV
Jesus had a way of putting the issues of life in such a way that everyone who seeks the truth can find it. In this story, Jesus was asked to comment on two men who come to the temple to pray. One was obvious and loud in his prayers declaring his deeds and status. The other, overcome with the revelation of the sin in his life, was humble and contrite. Jesus stated that the humble man seeking mercy was justified. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled but those who humble themselves will be exalted!
This is a great life lesson for us all. We are all in need of God’s grace and mercy. When we get the understanding of how great is our need for mercy, we placing ourselves into the hands of our Father who loves us. Instead of beating our chest and proclaiming our virtue, we should humble ourselves before the Lord of all creation. When we gain the insight of the Lord we serve and his great power, his grace, we will not stand before him but humble ourselves seeking his mercy.
The awesome fact that our God is a holy and glorious God but that he extends his grace to us each and every day shows us his perfect love. If your desire is to be justified before your Father, humble yourself and find his grace!
In Christ
RJ