vs.9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were
righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as
other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 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.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one
that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

We have before us a parable of two prayers that were offered. The point of this parable was directed toward those who trusted in themselves for their righteousness and looked down on others as not amounting to anything.

Prayer is not a matter of saying the "appropriate" words or of what may sound acceptable to other people. Acceptable prayer is the true expressions of the heart rendered to God as he deems as proper and right. It should be the desire, even the deepest yearning, that God will recognize and receive our requests in prayer as expressed toward him in faith.

First, examine the prayer of the Pharisee; keeping in mind that Pharisees were viewed as very religious. It begins with "He prayed thus with himself ". To whom was he addressing his prayer? There is a difference between actual prayer to God and talking to one's self.

Next he pronounces in his prayer, "I thank thee, that I am not as other men are." This statement not only sets the Pharisee apart but exhalts him above other men. We are all of the same makeup. Mankind, by nature, share in common characteristics. We are all sinners and follow sin if not by the grace of God. He further viewed himself as righteous based upon his self-effort; he was lifted up in his pride and trusted his own works. he failed to recognize that all men (including himself) are sinners and need God's mercy. The thought would be, "everyone else is a sinner but ME".

Publicans were held in the highest contempt as being dishonest and ruthless with the people. They were considered "very extreme sinners". While that may be the general conclusion of publicans as a group, this particular publican is presented in a different light. He "stands afar off"; maintaining a distance from the Holy Place, revealing his being conscious of his unworthiness. He "would not lift up his eyes to heaven". Although it is common place to pray with closed eyes lifted up toward heaven, this act implies that the Pharisee, in his pride, looked staight up toward God's heaven. The publican, by not lifting up his eyes, expresses his humility and submission as we understand the custom of a commoner not looking directly at a monarch until bidden by the king.

It is next discribed that he "smote his breast". Smote is used here in the "imperfect tense"; that is he repeatedly was striking his breast acknowledging his deep contrition.

His actual prayer is a simple, but heart-felt, plea for mercy. This prayer was based on his personal view of himself as a sinner and made in unreserved confession to God in that he stood condemned and needed mercy. Mercy based on atonement; pardon through a slain sacrifice. We find involved a resolve of surrender and a yearning for reconciliation. ( [the Prodical Son] Lk. 15:18 "I will arise and go to my father.......I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worhty to be called thy son; make me one of thy hired servants.") The cry of repentance. (II Co. 7:10 "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.")

The publican went home "justified". That means he was pardoned, cleared and declared upright with God. Who declared this? Who brought the publican up to meet the standard? God did. How was this brought about? It was by the perfect plan of God, which is being justified by faith in Jesus Christ (Ro. 5:1). We find that Christ taught, "Everyone that exalted himself shall be abased. He that humbles himself shall be exalted." Who humbles the proud? God. Who exalts the humble? God.

1. It wasn't who he was; God is no respecter of persons.
2. It wasn't what he did; the publican claimed no self-righteousness.
3. It was the condition of heart: he was humble, contrite and repentant.

The publican had a felt need beyond what "self" could provide. He exercised faith by depending upon God's mercy and totally surrendering into his power.

WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF EVERYONE THAT CALLS OUT TO HIM FOR MERCY AS A SINNER?
Not only that we confess our sin and trust him, but that it be done from a contrite and humble heart.

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