Luke 18:13-14

DISCOURSE: 1558
THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN

Luke 18:13. And the Publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so muck as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.

MANY express their regret, that religion is so generally neglected; and doubtless, a considerate man cannot reflect upon it but with grief. But it is common also to substitute a formal and mistaken religion in the place of that which is spiritual and saving. Nor is there sufficient jealousy entertained on this subject. The Pharisees of old were extremely diligent in the observance of outward duties: but, while they “trusted in themselves that they were righteous,” they were as far from the kingdom of God as if they had been openly profane. For the conviction of such persons, our Lord contrasted, in a parable, the spirit of a self-righteous Pharisee with that of a repenting Publican. He represented them as engaged in prayer, which is a season when most of all they discover their true character. He then declared the very different acceptance they met with from God. In pursuance of our Lord’s design, we will open more fully,

I. The different dispositions they manifested in prayer—

The Pharisee, with apparent devotion, gave thanks to God—
[The Pharisee might with propriety bless God for his preventing grace, and acknowledge with gratitude whatever God had wrought in him. Nor was it sinful to feel a pleasure in reviewing his past life. St. Paul, on proper occasions, spake of his disinterestedness and generosity [Note: Acts 20:33.]. He thanked God also that he had laboured more than all the Apostles [Note: 1 Corinthians 15:10.], and received much satisfaction in reflecting on his own integrity [Note: 2 Corinthians 1:12.]

But on a more attentive survey of his spirit we shall find him actuated by a most hateful disposition. Mark,

1. His pride—

[He came professedly with an intention to pray to God; but he was so full of his virtues that he forgat all his wants. His acknowledgment of God was manifestly no more than a mere compliment. His thanksgiving was one continued eulogium upon himself: yet, after all, his freedom from gross sins was but a small matter to boast of, and the duties he had practised were only the means of gratifying his vanity.]

2. His uncharitableness—

[Not satisfied with commending himself, he poured contempt on all others [Note: Οἰ λοιποὶ, the rest of the world.]. He arrogantly presumed to judge the Publican in particular: but what concern had he with the state of other men? Their greater degrees of sinfulness could not make him less sinful: nor should it have been a subject of boast, but of lamentation. He should have taken occasion from it, not to insult over them, but to intercede for them: but the guilt and misery of his fellow-creatures were to him a source of gratification rather than of grief: nor did he care how many might perish, provided he could have the satisfaction of contemplating his own superior goodness.]

3. His self-dependence—

[He confessed no sins, because he thought he had none to confess; or that they were far overbalanced by his virtues. He implored no help, because he felt no need of divine assistance. He entertained no doubt of his own ability to do the will of God. The whole of his deportment shewed the thought of his heart to be, “In myself have I righteousness and strength.”]

The Publican manifested a spirit altogether the reverse of this—
[He was of a profession that was generally and perhaps justly execrated [Note: The Publicans were tax-gatherers; and, under pretence of gathering the legal imposts, generally extorted more than was due: hence their very employment was held odious, and all who engaged in it were detested.]: and it is probable he had yielded to the temptations that beset him; but now, “what had been sweet in his mouth, was become gall in his bowels.”]

He approached God with deep humility and contrition—

[He came into the temple with a holy fear and trembling. While the Pharisee boldly walked up to the highest part, he stood, as it were, at the very threshold. While the Pharisee ostentatiously spread forth his hands, he did not presume to “lift up so much as his eyes” to heaven. Instead of boasting of his goodness, he humbled himself as “a sinner.” He confessed himself to be deserving of God’s wrath and indignation. With much anguish of spirit he “smote upon his breast,” and cried for mercy as one who felt himself the chief of sinners.]

He placed all his confidence in God alone—

[He did not attempt to extenuate his guilt, or promise amendment as a reparation for his offences. He renounced all self-righteous methods of recommending himself to God, and cast himself entirely upon the Divine mercy.]
Services performed in so different a spirit could not find equal acceptance—

II.

The different success with which their prayers were attended—

The Pharisee could not reasonably expect a blessing—
[Many humble persons indeed would envy his conscious rectitude, and wish that they could lay claim to such purity as his. But, what could he obtain who did not condescend to ask any thing? His pride would set God at a greater distance from him [Note: Psalms 138:6.]. Had he been able to boast of far greater things than he possessed, his uncharitableness bad rendered them all of no value [Note: 1 Corinthians 13:1.], and his self-dependence cut him off from all hope in the Divine mercy [Note: Galatians 5:2; Galatians 5:4.]. Hence, though full of self-applause, he departed without a blessing from God. Though justified in his own conceit, he was under condemnation for sin. He was odious in God’s eyes in proportion as he was amiable in his own. This is asserted, not in the text only, but in other passages of Scripture [Note: Proverbs 16:5.] —. Jehovah himself declares this in very significant and awful terms [Note: Isaiah 65:5. Here the Pharisee’s character is described in perfect correspondence with the text: and God’s indignation against him is very strongly painted.]—.]

The Publican, on the contrary, was blessed beyond his expectation—
[Many would have reprobated his downcast look and solemn attitude, and have judged him to be a melancholy enthusiast or a designing hypocrite. But God regarded him with complacency and delight. Such humility and contrition could not fail of engaging his care [Note: Isaiah 57:15.Psalms 51:17.]; and such affiance in him obliged him, as it were, to display his mercy [Note: Psalms 125:1.Isaiah 26:3.]. Hence the Publican went home justified, while the Pharisee returned in a state of condemnation [Note: This is the import of that which the text expresses in a way of comparison.]. Thus it is that God will deal with every humble suppliant [Note: Job 33:27.]. He will assuredly exalt us in proportion as we abase ourselves.]

Address—
1.

Those who trust in themselves that they are righteous—

[Almost all, when interrogated about their souls, reply as this Pharisee [Note: “I am not the worst of sinners,” &c. &c.]—. But we shall not stand or fall by a comparison with other men. If we have been free from some sins, we have committed many others; and if we have practised some duties, we have neglected many others. As sinners we must all humble ourselves like the Publican: nor is there a possibility of obtaining mercy in any other way [Note: Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:8.]

2. Those who are of a contemptuous spirit while they profess to believe in Christ—

[Many pride themselves on the knowledge of the Gospel, as the Pharisee did on his virtues, and speak as contemptuously of the unenlightened world as he did of the Publican. Conceited, arrogant, contentious, they make the Gospel itself an occasion of sin. Well did St. Paul reprove such persons in the Corinthian Church [Note: 1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 4:7.]. Let them remember that humility and love are the very essence of religion; and beware, lest the higher they are exalted in privileges, the deeper they fall into destruction.]

3. Those who are low and vile in their own esteem—

[Never are you higher in God’s esteem than when you are lowest in your own. Fear not but that they who trust in God’s mercy shall find mercy at his hands. Let that faithful saying of the Apostle’s sink deep into your hearts [Note: 1 Timothy 1:15.].—Look truly to the Saviour, and you may “go down to your house justified [Note: Christ emphatically says, “I say unto you,” &c.].” To every believing penitent he speaks as he did to that repenting sinner [Note: Luke 7:48; Luke 7:50.]—.]