“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’”
Luke 18:13
We ignore the reality of our wounds when we approach God like a Pharisee, saying, “Thank you that I am not like other men!” We chest thump before Him without examining our chests, without pondering what it is we are missing. We forget that we have no room for pride.
But when we look at the hopeless condition of our broken hearts, we can understand why this tax collector couldn’t lift his eyes to heaven. His only plea is for mercy. He literally refers to himself (as the original Greek language puts it) as the sinner—not one amongst many, but in an ignoble class all to himself. There is beauty in such brokenness, because those who cannot lift their eyes to heaven often find their eyes drawn there by Jesus Himself.
As Jesus explains, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (v. 14). Don’t turn a blind eye to your sin and its effects. Your own wounds testify against such ignorance! In the days ahead, we will examine the woundedness that comes out of sin, so that we can more carefully examine the cross.
But when we look at the hopeless condition of our broken hearts, we can understand why this tax collector couldn’t lift his eyes to heaven. His only plea is for mercy. He literally refers to himself (as the original Greek language puts it) as the sinner—not one amongst many, but in an ignoble class all to himself. There is beauty in such brokenness, because those who cannot lift their eyes to heaven often find their eyes drawn there by Jesus Himself.
As Jesus explains, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (v. 14). Don’t turn a blind eye to your sin and its effects. Your own wounds testify against such ignorance! In the days ahead, we will examine the woundedness that comes out of sin, so that we can more carefully examine the cross.
Scripture Focus
Luke 18:9-14
Insight
Remember, Jesus didn’t turn a blind eye to your sin at all. That’s why you belong to Him.
Bible In A Year
- 1 Chronicles 22-23
- Psalm 4
- Matthew 5