(Nuggets from Luke 18:13)
This was the parable of the PHARISEE and the PUBLICAN. Jesus spoke this parable for the sake of those who trust themselves - THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS.
These two individuals went to the temple and prayed to God, but only one would be heard; the PUBLICAN who would most definitely not be acceptable to men.
There was a twist here!
The PUBLICAN was a Tax collector, one usually seen by the Israelites as a traitor, someone who by men's standards should not be qualified to access SALVATION.
On the other hand was the PHARISEE, a FUNDAMENTALIST, one who claimed to believe the entire Bible but his life was saying otherwise. Verse 11 shows us the kind of self-righteousness this Pharisee practiced. He stood and prayed thus for himself, meaning that his prayer even though directed to God, was not heard by God. He went further to compare himself with the Publican and said: "God, I thank you that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican". He counted himself more righteous than the publican, he asked God for nothing because he felt he had need of nothing, and that was why he received nothing from God.
But the Publican on his part didn't count himself as worthy to come close to the temple, he stood afar off. He saw himself as a sinner who was unqualified to approach God's presence, and pleaded for forgiveness and acceptance, and ultimately, he got JUSTIFIED.
Today's scripture emphasizes the need to approach God's presence with a HUMBLE DISPOSITION, not coming before him to justify yourself or pretend as though you need no help and all is well with you.
LEARN FROM THE PUBLICAN, BE HUMBLE AND COME TO GOD IN SINCERITY OF HEART AND YOU WILL BE JUSTIFIED.
This is HOLINESS CHALLENGE
DAY 138 OF 365 (2026)
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