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 in chapter eighteen and verse thirteen of his book Luke wrote how Jesus says, “the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven” where we read:
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.
The verse reads, “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, ...” Luke began with the words, “and the publican” or “and the tax gatherer, collector of taxes or tolls or one employed by a publican or farmer general in the collection of taxes”, “standing afar off” which means “made himself fixed, established and stood a distance away”, “would not lift up” or “did not have in mind, intend or take delight and pleasure in raising, exalting or poising” “so much as his eyes unto heaven” which means “not even or yet his physical eyes toward the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible within it”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “tax collector” “stood” a great distance away and would not even “raise his eyes” toward the sky as he prayed.
The verse continues, “... but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke added the words, “but smote upon his breast” or “however, nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover struck and beat upon his physical chest as a means of inflicting punishment”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “God be merciful” or “Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit conciliate, atone, be propitious and make reconciliation” “to me a sinner” which means “to me, the publican, who am devoted to sin, pre-eminently sinful and especially wicked”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “publican” afflicted himself as he plead for “God” to “be propitious and conciliatory” toward him because he knew he was a “sinful man”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn the difference between this “publican” and the “Pharisee” spoken of before him. The “tax collector” humbled himself before God as he took a “lower, afar off” position in the temple, and rather than “brag” upon himself and his own righteousness, he afflicted himself and begged God to have “mercy” upon him. God loves to minister to people, and when they understand their “need” for Him, He is ever ready to extend His grace and mercy to them through His Son Jesus. Jesus came to “save sinners”, and until a person understands they are in need of His “mercy”, they will not only “compare” themselves to others, but also deem themselves to be a great advantage to God. Let all who read these words take heed to the example given by the “publican” and follow his lead as they cry out to God for “mercy”.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus says the publican, “went down to his house justified rather than the other”, 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"
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; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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