“...And the publican, standing afar off, …smote upon his breast, saying, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner.’ ‘…this man went down to his house justified.'” Luke 18:13,14
Dear Ones:
Jeremiah writes very descriptively concerning the true condition of the human heart without God: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (17:9) It is remarkable that the first characteristic of the heart here is that it is deceitful. In other words, it lies to itself, to others, and is twisted in its assessment of reality and truth. The story of the publican and the Pharisee is a perfect example. The Lord Jesus draws a very clear distinction between the two men, and their consequent reaction towards God. The Pharisee, as Luke relates in the story, stands up in public, probably in the synagogue, and prays: “God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” (18:11) The problem with this man’s heart is that it compares itself with other sinners, other men…but not with God. So, because of his stature, position in life, clothes he wears, and other attributes of “righteousness” and “success,” he is deceived into thinking that he is good, accepted before God. He has been deceived by his own heart into believing that he really does not need the direct intervention of God in his life, because he has accomplished everything needed to be accepted by God. The publican is just the opposite. Scripture tells us that we see him standing “afar off.” He is ashamed, for he knows that he is nothing, and has nothing, by which he can justify coming and being accepted of God. He could not even bring himself to look towards heaven. Because of the anguish of soul, knowing his total bankruptcy before God, he beats his chest, and cries out: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” (v.13) It is at this point in the story that the Lord Jesus reveals to us the true and readily available answer to both the deceitful and despairing heart. For the deceitful heart that justifies itself, there is humiliation, and rejection, “…for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased.” (v.14) But to the heart that cries out for mercy, appealing to God when there is NO reason to be heard, acknowledged, and accepted, there comes the words: “…this man went down to his house justified…he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (v.14) We are apt to think, because of our deceitful hearts, that we “have” or can “do” something that will give us standing before God. This not true. It is the man, or woman, or even child, that realizes the truth of their own incalculable need, crying out to God for His mercy, that God GIVES the gift of his righteousness.
The cry of the heart to God for mercy is not just a one-time act at the first moment when we are conscious, and convicted, of our desperate need. As long as we are sinners, we will always have this need. But what is so wonderful in God’s dealings with us is that He would have us always come in this manner, not relying on anything else than the name of the Lord Jesus, the power of His precious blood, and the strengthening by the Holy Spirit. This is why the author of the book of Hebrews writes: “Let us therefore come BOLDLY unto the throne of grace, “…that we may obtain MERCY, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) Just as there is always a fountain that is open for sin and uncleanness, there is always a Heart of Mercy, seated in heaven, who will hear the call, the cry, of His children…and this, uniquely on the basis of His desire, choice, and will to respond. His mercies are new every morning, and His mercy is everlasting. There is NO variableness or shadow cast by turning.
Dear Father, save us from any deception in our hearts that would hinder us from grasping the truth of Thy mercy, constant and unfailing. Let us never be deterred in coming to Thee because we think that we are not good enough. We shall never be good enough. Strengthen us to come in Thy Son’s goodness, His righteousness…in His name. Enable us to “receive” Thy mercy, live in the reality of it, and appropriate Thy grace to meet every need for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad