The Humble Publican Justified - Luke 18:14

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner”, and in chapter eighteen and verse fourteen of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said the publican, “went down to his house justified rather than the other”” where we read:

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

The verse reads, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other:” Luke began with the words, “I tell you” or “I, Jesus, speak, maintain and affirm to His disciples”, “this man went down to his house” which means “the publican descended toward his dwelling place, habitation and abode” “justified” or “rendered righteous, free and innocent” “rather than the other” which means “instead of the Pharisee”. Luke shared how Jesus told His disciples the humble “publican” went home “made righteous” rather than the proud and self-righteous “Pharisee”.

The verse goes on to say, “... for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.” Luke continued with the words, “for every one” or “because, since and on account that each, every, the whole and all persons” “that exalts himself” which means “that lift ups themselves to dignity, honor and happiness” “shall be abased” or “will be brought low and reduced to a plain, meaner and humbled position”; “and he that humbles himself” which means “and the person whether male or female who makes themselves brought low and reduced to a plain, meaner and humbled position” “shall be exalted” or “will be lifted up in dignity, honor and happiness”. Luke shared how Jesus declared how every person who “raises themselves up” will be put down, and the person who “humbles” themselves will be “honored and made happy”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn of the great advantage to the person who “humbles” themselves before God in prayer. Those who are proud and believe themselves to be “better” than others and worthy of God's favor will be “reduced” in their position and image. God desires to “save” every person through His Son Jesus, and when a person “humbles themselves, admits they are a sinner and asks for forgiveness” from Him, they shall find He is willing to lift them up to an “exalted” position both with Him and others who live around them.

Next time Luke shares how people brought, “infants” to Jesus, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".