February 24, 1997
In today’s world, many revere pride and scoff at humility. Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector shows us a different way. Alistair Begg takes us through this instructive story in which the spiritual postures of two men on opposite sides of Judaism illustrate the true nature of the Gospel. As Christ’s words show us, we must dare to be emptied of our self-sufficiency and say, “God, have mercy on me.”
9He also told this parable to some cwho trusted din themselves that they were righteous, eand treated others with contempt: 10“Two men fwent up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, gstanding by himself, prayed1 hthus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12iI fast twice a week; jI give tithes of all that I get.’ 13But the tax collector, gstanding far off, kwould not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but lbeat his breast, saying, ‘God, mbe merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For neveryone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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