Sunday Devo
Fast 2023 - Day 5
Scripture Reading:
Luke 18:13-14
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Commentary:
This story in Luke captures the true character of prayer. This man came into the temple and stood with his eyes cast down. He did not assume the posture of prayer. All he could do was beat his chest and say, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!"
What do we learn about prayer from this man? It is apparent that real prayer, authentic prayer, is an awareness of our helplessness. This man saw himself on the lowest possible level, a sinner. In the original language, he calls himself the lowest and worst kind of sinner. He believed that without God he could do absolutely nothing to help his position.
Isn’t it amazing that he does not try to add anything by way of his own merit? He does not say, "God, be merciful to me, a penitent sinner." He was apologetic but did not leverage that as any basis for God's blessing. He does not say, "God, be merciful to me, a reformed sinner. I'm going to be different from now on." He does not even say, "God, be merciful to me, an honest sinner. Here I am, Lord, willing to tell you the whole thing." Surely you can't pass by honesty like that. He does not even say, "God, be merciful to me, a praying sinner." No. He casts it all away. He says, "Lord, I haven't a thing to lean on but you."
How did he come to this place? Precisely the reverse of the Pharisee who Jesus spoke of earlier. He did not look down on someone else below him, but he looked up to God. He judged upward to God. He saw no one but God. He heard nothing but the high standard of God. Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:37). Lord, I'm the sinner. I'll never be any better in myself. I need you!
What do we learn about prayer from this man? It is apparent that real prayer, authentic prayer, is an awareness of our helplessness. This man saw himself on the lowest possible level, a sinner. In the original language, he calls himself the lowest and worst kind of sinner. He believed that without God he could do absolutely nothing to help his position.
Isn’t it amazing that he does not try to add anything by way of his own merit? He does not say, "God, be merciful to me, a penitent sinner." He was apologetic but did not leverage that as any basis for God's blessing. He does not say, "God, be merciful to me, a reformed sinner. I'm going to be different from now on." He does not even say, "God, be merciful to me, an honest sinner. Here I am, Lord, willing to tell you the whole thing." Surely you can't pass by honesty like that. He does not even say, "God, be merciful to me, a praying sinner." No. He casts it all away. He says, "Lord, I haven't a thing to lean on but you."
How did he come to this place? Precisely the reverse of the Pharisee who Jesus spoke of earlier. He did not look down on someone else below him, but he looked up to God. He judged upward to God. He saw no one but God. He heard nothing but the high standard of God. Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:37). Lord, I'm the sinner. I'll never be any better in myself. I need you!
Questions For Reflection:
1. Do I approach God with humility like the sinner did?
2. Do I consider my own merit when I pray?
2. Do I consider my own merit when I pray?
Prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalms 39:23-24)
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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