The Lord Jesus Christ often used everyday encounters and simple stories to reveal profound spiritual truths about the kingdom of heaven. In the passage before us from Luke 18:9-17, He speaks to those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others. Through the parable of two men at prayer and His warm welcome of little children, Jesus makes it plain that entrance into the kingdom is not secured by religious performance or moral superiority. It is granted to those who come before God in genuine humility and childlike dependence. This message remains as relevant today as it was when first spoken, calling every reader to examine the true condition of their heart.
The Deluded Pharisee
Jesus sets the scene with a parable about two men who went up into the temple to pray. The first was a Pharisee. He stood and prayed thus with himself, saying, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (Luke 18:11-12)
This prayer exposes a heart that has become deluded by self-righteousness. Rather than approaching God in honest dependence, the Pharisee prays with himself, using the occasion to catalogue his supposed virtues. He finds satisfaction not in God’s holiness but in his favourable comparison with other men, particularly the despised publican nearby. His fasting and tithing, which could have been expressions of devotion, instead feed his pride. He fails to realise that God looks not at outward religious activity but at the inward posture of the soul. Self-exaltation of this kind can only lead to abasement, for God gives grace to the humble and resists the proud.
A Remorseful Publican
By contrast, the publican stands afar off. He 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)
No elaborate arguments appear in his prayer. No comparison with others is attempted. He offers no defence of his conduct and makes no appeal to any good he may have done. His entire focus rests upon his need for mercy. In this simple, broken cry we see genuine remorse and repentance. Jesus tells us that this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. The divine verdict is clear: every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:14) The remorseful publican demonstrates that the pathway to justification lies in acknowledging our sin and casting ourselves wholly upon the mercy of God.
The Dependability in the Children
Following the parable, people brought infants to Jesus that He might touch them. The disciples rebuked those who did so, perhaps considering the children an interruption to more important matters. Jesus, however, called the children unto Him and declared, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. (Luke 18:16-17)
Little children approach without pretence or credentials. They bring no list of accomplishments and make no claim upon God’s favour based on their own merit. Their posture is one of simple trust and complete dependence. They come because they are invited, and they receive because they do not rely upon themselves. Jesus presents this childlike quality as essential for entering the kingdom. The dependability of children in their unreserved trust serves as the model for every person. We cannot negotiate our way into God’s favour through religious effort or moral comparison. We must receive the kingdom as a gift, coming in the same humble, dependent spirit that marks a little child.
The deluded Pharisee warns against the subtle snare of religious pride that blinds the soul to its true need. The remorseful publican points the way to justification through honest confession and humble reliance upon divine mercy. The children reveal the only posture in which the kingdom of heaven can be received: simple, childlike faith that trusts without reservation.
As we reflect upon this passage, may each of us be led to lay aside every form of self-trust and self-comparison. Let us come to the Lord Jesus Christ as the publican came, seeking mercy, and as the children came, in dependent faith. He still welcomes all who approach Him in this manner. In Him we find not condemnation but justification, and through Him we enter the kingdom of which such humble and trusting souls are the true citizens.
