Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men––extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (vs9-14)
Learn the character of God's kingdom and the character of those who enter in. Learn the cost.
First, the sinner is saved; it's never the self-righteous person who has no need of mercy (vs9-13). Our Lord said, “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other”. The Doctor heals the sick, the Lord saves sinners, and the self-sufficient leave empty and deceived. We read elsewhere, “Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength” (1 Sam 2:3-4). Never think that you're the reason of mercy, or that you have anything that you deserve. Faith receives God's gift; it never adds a bit of self. For Christ's sake and because of His perfection, faith takes the Lord's love, but it never presents “self” as the reason.
Humble yourself, and you'll be saved. He says, “for everyone who exalts himself will be put down, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”. Cry unto God as a sinner, and delight yourself in mercy.
Secondly, God's kingdom belongs to the humble, to the low in spirit, to those WILLING to be treated, taught, and cared for as a child (vs15-17). He said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it”. King Solomon said, “Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in” (1 Kings 3:7). The mighty RESIST mercy, cast off instruction, and refuse to be taught. They think themselves men who've outgrown the instruction of their parents. This REBELLION will not do. The Lord will receive you on His terms, teaching, caring for, and in every way guiding and ruling you. You'll be subject to God, like a little child before his parents, or you're barred from the kingdom. You can't have God and be god yourself. You'll receive salvation accomplished for you and in you, a salvation God gives to do His will.
Thirdly, following the Lord is the way of salvation (vs18-23). Jesus said, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me”. It can be done. He died to give the grace, and GRACE makes you acceptable... then, GRACE saves the acceptable, giving us the joy and power of the Spirit. Grace is God giving us salvation because Christ EARNED it for us. Therefore, we serve, honor, and obey the Lord by this grace, because grace is never just an acceptable standing; it gives and includes acceptable character as well. Trusting God as a child means doing what He has said by the power of His Spirit. We may be weak and wicked, but grace enables us to be holy in standing and behavior.
What do you want? This man wanted eternal life, but he didn't want to follow Christ. We read, “But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich”. He was willing to live a life devoted to religion, but he wasn't willing to give up everything for his soul.
Don't be foolish. The most important, most blessed, and most envied thing in eternity will be following the Lord Jesus on earth. The Lord will reward His sufferers - those who must obey against our natural wills - and He will punish the disobedient - those, like you and me, who could have come, but they've chosen to depart.
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