Bible Study - Luke 18
S — "But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18:13–14 ESV
O — The purposes of the Parable of the Prayers of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector were to show that one cannot trust in himself for righteousness and should not view others with contempt (v. 9). The Pharisee's prayer was concerned with telling God what a good man he was — not only did he keep the Law by fasting and tithing (v. 12), but he also considered himself better than other people (v. 11). He was using other people as his standard for measuring righteousness. The tax collector, on the other hand, used God as his standard for measuring righteousness. He realized that he had to throw himself on the mercy of God for forgiveness.
John A. Martin, "Luke," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 250.
A — What standard do we measure ourselves by in our lives? Comparison with others is an easy trap to fall into. Knowing we are "better" than someone else gives us a sense of relief and accomplishment. It eases our conscience to think, We are not as bad as that person. But there is only one standard we will ultimately be measured by — God's. We will never meet the perfection He is. Only through a relationship with Jesus can we approach that standard with confidence, because it allows God to see us through the lens of forgiveness.
R — Heavenly Father, You are mercy and truth. You hold up the standard of Your heart and character for us to live by daily. We will never meet it because of our human nature. Thank you for the blood of Jesus and Your heart to forgive us in our mess. Help us not to compare ourselves with others. May we seek to elevate You and not ourselves in our lives. Amen.
