The Gospel of Luke 18:13 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“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.” (Luke 18:13 KJV).

The Lord, continuing in His parable, shows us the posture of the tax collector or publican in direct contrast to the posture of the Pharisee. The first character, who’s the Pharisee, comes to the temple to lift his eyes to God bragging about his supposedly fine character qualities and religious deeds. This second character - the tax collector also comes in the temple repentant - a distinct contrast to the posture of the Pharisee.

In the New Testament time, a "publican” refers to a Jew working for the Roman authority. He is also called a "tax collector," who has a contract with the imperial government. Tax collectors are tasked to collect specific amounts of money from their own people for the government. They are from the localities and are collecting money from fellow citizens. They are also allowed to collect their own fee, which in many cases are very exorbitant. Hence, they become quite rich and are despised by their fellow Jews. They are viewed as cohorts of the Roman occupiers.

This tax collector in the parable, however, recognizes and repents of his sin. While the Pharisee heaps admiration to himself, this tax collector is pounding his breast in sorrow. He makes God the object of his prayer. The Pharisee tries to impress God to earn favor by comparing himself to others and this tax collector; while the tax collector begs for mercy for his own sin.

The Pharisee stands proud to draw the attention of other worshipers (Matthew 6:5). The tax collector stands far off and keeps his pleading between himself and God. This man takes the Lord’s Words at its value as he prays. And, we must as well, we being children of God in Christ Jesus. It is written, the Lord says: “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

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