Luke 18:9-14
The Tombs
In his book Great Themes of the Bible, Louis Albert Banks told of the time D.L. Moody visited a prison called “The Tombs” to preach to the inmates. After he had finished speaking, Moody talked with a number of men in their cells. He asked each prisoner this question, “What brought you here?” Again and again he received replies like this: “I don’t deserve to be here.” “I was framed.” “I was falsely accused.” “I was given an unfair trial.” Not one inmate would admit he was guilty. Finally, Moody found a man with his face buried in his hands, weeping. “And what’s wrong, my friend?” he inquired. The prisoner responded, “My sins are more than I can bear.” Relieved to find at least one man who would recognize his guilt and his need of forgiveness, the evangelist exclaimed, “Thank God for that!” Moody then had the joy of pointing him to a saving knowledge of Christ—a knowledge that released him from his shackles of sin.
What an accurate picture of the two contrasting attitudes spoken of in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the publican! As long as the sinner claims innocence and refuses to acknowledge his transgressions before the Lord, he does not receive the blessings of redemption. But when he pleads guilty and cries out, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner,” he is forgiven. God’s pardon is available to everyone, but it is experienced only by those who admit guilt and trust Christ. To be “found,” a person must first recognize that he is “lost.”
Two Approaches
I. The Prideful Approach
A. The Pharisee’s prayer showed he was self-centered
B. The Pharisee’s prayer showed he was conceited.
C. The Pharisee’s prayer showed his morality was based on negatives.
D. The Pharisee’s prayer showed his worship was based on externals.
II. The Penitent Approach
A. The publican’s prayer showed he was humble before God and man.
B. The publican’s prayer showed he was more aware of his own sins than those of others.
C. The publican’s prayer showed he was not concerned about obtaining material wealth.
D. The publican’s prayer showed he was conscious of his standing before God.