Gospels in Harmony – Luke 18:9-14 The Pharisee and Publican Within<\/h3>\n

[Study Aired September 15,2020<\/h5>\n

Luk 18:9-14<\/span> And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that <\/span>they were righteous, and despised others<\/b>:\u00a0<\/span>Two men went up into the temple to pray<\/b>; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The Pharisee<\/b> stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that <\/span>I am not as other men<\/b> are,<\/i><\/b> extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican<\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I fast<\/b> twice in the week, <\/span>I give<\/b> tithes of all that I possess.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>And <\/span>the publican<\/b>, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as<\/span> his<\/span><\/i> eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, <\/span>saying, God be merciful to me a sinner<\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I tell you, this man went down to his house justified<\/span> rather<\/span><\/i> than the other: for <\/span>every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Christ speaks another parable. We all know and understand why our Lord speaks in parables. He speaks so they cannot understand and so we can understand.<\/p>\n

Mat 13:10-15<\/span> And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?\u00a0He answered and said unto them, <\/span>Because <\/span>it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven<\/b>, but <\/span>to them it is not given<\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Therefore <\/span>speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and<\/span> their<\/span><\/i> ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with<\/span> their<\/span><\/i> eyes, and hear with<\/span> their<\/span><\/i> ears, and should understand with<\/span> their<\/span><\/i> heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Once again, he mentions the \u201ctwo men\u201d. Who are the \u201ctwo men\u201d?
\nThey are the men within each of us if Christ is in you. The Pharisee and the publican are within our heavens.<\/p>\n

As with the other parables we reviewed earlier in this series one of the men must be taken and the other left. In this parable which will be taken, and which will be left? The Pharisee is not as \u201cother men\u201d he is better than them. He fasts and he gives. What more would God want from us? We are told to fast and we are told to give so it must be the Pharisee within us that will remain. We are all familiar with the following verses, but it answers the question of which man will be taken and which will be left.<\/p>\n

Isa 58:3-5<\/span>\u00a0 Wherefore have <\/span>we fasted<\/b>, <\/span>say they,<\/span><\/i> and thou seest not? <\/span>wherefore<\/span><\/i> have <\/span>we afflicted our soul<\/b>, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and <\/span>exact all your labours<\/b>.<\/span> Behold, <\/span>ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness<\/b>: ye shall not fast as <\/span>ye do this<\/span><\/i> day, to make your voice to be heard on high.\u00a0Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for <\/span>a man to afflict his soul<\/b>? <\/span>is it<\/span><\/i> to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes <\/span>under him?<\/span><\/i> wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?\u00a0<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The above verses are what the Pharisee within us in our parable is doing. The below verses are what the publican within us does and therefore will be justified.<\/p>\n

Isa 58:6-7<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Is<\/span><\/i> not this the fast that I have chosen? <\/span>to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke<\/b>?\u00a0<\/span>Is it<\/span><\/i> not to <\/span>deal thy bread to the hungry<\/b>, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When we properly come to the Lord as the publican, we will gain all the following within our heavens.<\/p>\n

Isa 58:8-14<\/span>\u00a0Then shall <\/span>thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily<\/b>: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; <\/span>the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward<\/b>.\u00a0Then shalt thou call, and <\/span>the LORD shall answer<\/b>; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I <\/span>am.<\/span><\/i> If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;\u00a0And <\/span>if<\/span><\/i> thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; <\/span>then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness <\/b>be<\/i><\/b> as the noonday<\/b>:\u00a0And <\/span>the LORD shall guide thee continually<\/b>, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.\u00a0And <\/span>they that shall be<\/span><\/i> of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.\u00a0If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, <\/span>from<\/i><\/b> doing thy pleasure<\/b> on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, <\/span>not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking <\/b>thine own<\/i><\/b> words<\/b>:\u00a0<\/span>Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and <\/span>I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth<\/b>, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken <\/span>it.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Zechariah, with some additions the same thought is repeated. The first section of verses is the Pharisee\u2019s way of life. Also, notice when this takes place spiritually and the meanings of the names involved.<\/p>\n

Zec 7:1-7<\/span> And it came to pass in <\/span>the fourth<\/b> year of king Darius, <\/span>[he that informs himself]<\/b> that<\/span><\/i> the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah <\/span>[Jehovah remembers]<\/b> in <\/span>the fourth<\/b> day<\/span><\/i> of <\/span>the ninth<\/b> month, <\/span>even<\/span><\/i> in Chisleu; <\/span>[confidence] <\/b>When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer <\/span>[prince of fire]<\/b> and Regemmelech<\/span>, [to stone the king]<\/b> and their men, to pray before the LORD,\u00a0<\/span>And<\/span><\/i> to speak unto the priests which <\/span>were<\/span><\/i> in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in <\/span>the fifth<\/b> month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?\u00a0Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,\u00a0Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, <\/span>When ye fasted and mourned<\/b> in the <\/span>fifth<\/b> and <\/span>seventh<\/b> month,<\/span><\/i> even those <\/span>seventy<\/b> years<\/span>, did ye at all fast unto me<\/b>, <\/span>even<\/span><\/i> to me?\u00a0And <\/span>when ye did eat<\/b>, and <\/span>when ye did drink, did not ye eat <\/b>for yourselves,<\/i><\/b> and drink <\/b>for yourselves?<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Should ye<\/span><\/i> not <\/span>hear<\/span><\/i> the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when <\/span>men<\/span><\/i> inhabited the south and the plain?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Zec 7:8-14<\/span> And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, <\/span>[Jehova remembers]<\/b> saying,\u00a0Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, <\/span>Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother<\/b>:\u00a0And <\/span>oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor<\/b>; and <\/span>let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart<\/b>.\u00a0But they <\/span>[the Pharisee within]<\/b> refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.\u00a0Yea, they <\/span>[the Pharisee within]<\/b> made their hearts <\/span>as<\/span><\/i> an adamant stone, <\/span>lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit<\/b> by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.\u00a0Therefore it is come to pass, <\/span>that<\/span><\/i> as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:\u00a0<\/span>But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Only the publican within us can hear these warnings of our Lord. Paul tells us the same thing here in Romans 9.<\/p>\n

Rom 9:30-33<\/span> What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.\u00a0But <\/span>Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.<\/b>\u00a0Wherefore? Because <\/span>they sought it<\/i><\/b> not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law<\/b>. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;\u00a0<\/span>As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The fasting and giving that the Pharisee brags about is not true fasting and giving. The Pharisee is doing all this with his own righteousness and following the law of the flesh and cannot serve God properly. We know what the Lord thinks of our righteousness\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Isa 64:6-7<\/span> But <\/span>we are all as an unclean<\/b> thing,<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>all our righteousnesses <\/b>are<\/i><\/b> as filthy rags<\/b>; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.\u00a0<\/span>And <\/span>there is<\/span><\/i> none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That is the Lord speaking about the Pharisee within us. Our Pharisee within will go through the process of judgment: the baptisms of water, fire, and the holy spirit. Ultimately the publican will be born within us, and we will become humble and be able to truly fast and give as the Lord has commanded. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians what the publican within us will be able to accomplish once the Pharisee is overcome.<\/p>\n

2Co 10:1-18<\/span> Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence <\/span>am<\/span><\/i> base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:\u00a0But I beseech <\/span>you,<\/span><\/i> that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.\u00a0For <\/span>though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh<\/b>:\u00a0(For the weapons of our warfare <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> not carnal, but <\/span>mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)\u00a0Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ<\/b>;\u00a0And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.\u00a0Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> Christ’s, even so <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> we Christ’s.\u00a0For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:\u00a0That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.\u00a0For <\/span>his<\/span><\/i> letters, say they, <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> weighty and powerful; but <\/span>his<\/span><\/i> bodily presence <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> weak, and <\/span>his<\/span><\/i> speech contemptible.\u00a0Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such <\/span>will we be<\/span><\/i> also in deed when we are present.\u00a0For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they <\/span>[those with the mind of a Pharisee]<\/b> measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are <\/span>not wise<\/b>.\u00a0But we will not boast of things without <\/span>our<\/span><\/i> measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.\u00a0For we stretch not ourselves beyond <\/span>our measure,<\/span><\/i> as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in <\/span>preaching<\/span><\/i> the gospel of Christ:\u00a0Not boasting of things without <\/span>our<\/span><\/i> measure, <\/span>that is,<\/span><\/i> of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,\u00a0To preach the gospel in the <\/span>regions<\/span><\/i> beyond you, <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.\u00a0But <\/span>he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.\u00a0For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We, with the publican within, are given the ability to strive after the righteousness of the Lord. We are given to act as the \u201cpublican standing afar off\u201d and be justified among all men.<\/p>\n

Luk 18:13-14<\/span> And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as<\/span> his<\/span><\/i> eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, <\/span>God be merciful to me a sinner<\/b>.<\/span> I tell you, this man went down to his house justified<\/span> rather<\/span><\/i> than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted<\/span>.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When we are given eyes to see and ears to hear the meanings of the parables Christ speaks to us, we will understand the reason for the process of judgement we are enduring until the end of this age. Though we feel at times this age will never end the Lord says differently.<\/p>\n

Rev 3:10-13<\/span> Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God,<\/span> which is<\/span><\/i> new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and<\/span> I will write upon him<\/span><\/i> my new name.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rev 16:15<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed<\/span> is<\/span><\/i> he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rev 22:6-21<\/span> And he said unto me, These sayings <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.\u00a0<\/span>Behold, I come quickly: blessed<\/span> is<\/span><\/i> he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.<\/span>\u00a0And I John saw these things, and heard <\/span>them.<\/span><\/i> And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.\u00a0Then saith he unto me, See <\/span>thou do it<\/span><\/i> not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.\u00a0And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.\u00a0He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.\u00a0<\/span>And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward<\/span> is<\/span><\/i> with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.<\/span>\u00a0Blessed <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.\u00a0For without <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.\u00a0<\/span>I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David,<\/span> and<\/span><\/i> the bright and morning star.<\/span>\u00a0And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.\u00a0For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:\u00a0And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and <\/span>from<\/span><\/i> the things which are written in this book.\u00a0He which testifieth these things saith, <\/span>Surely I come quickly.<\/span> Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.\u00a0The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ <\/span>be<\/span><\/i> with you all. Amen.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In conclusion, here are the thoughts of the publican within us if Christ be in us.<\/p>\n

Psa 40:1<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD<\/b>; and he inclined unto me, and <\/span>heard my cry<\/b>.\u00a0He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> established my goings<\/b>.\u00a0And he hath <\/span>put a new song<\/b> in my mouth, <\/span>even<\/span><\/i> praise unto our God: many shall see <\/span>it,<\/span><\/i> and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.\u00a0<\/span>Blessed <\/b>is<\/i><\/b> that man that maketh the LORD his trust<\/b>, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.\u00a0Many, O LORD my God, <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> thy wonderful works <\/span>which<\/span><\/i> thou hast done, and thy thoughts <\/span>which are<\/span><\/i> to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: <\/span>if<\/span><\/i> I would declare and speak <\/span>of them,<\/span><\/i> they are more than can be numbered.\u00a0<\/span>Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire<\/b>; mine ears hast thou opened: <\/span>burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required<\/b>.\u00a0Then said I, Lo, <\/span>I come: in the volume of the book <\/b>it is<\/i><\/b> written of me,\u00a0I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law <\/b>is<\/i><\/b> within my heart<\/b>.\u00a0I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.\u00a0I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; <\/span>I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation<\/b>: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.\u00a0For <\/span>innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up<\/b>; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.\u00a0Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, <\/span>make haste to help me<\/b>.\u00a0Let them <\/span>[the Pharisee within]<\/b> be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.\u00a0Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.\u00a0<\/span>Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified<\/b>.\u00a0But I <\/span>am<\/span><\/i> poor and needy; <\/span>yet<\/span><\/i> the Lord thinketh upon me: <\/span>thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gospels in Harmony – Luke 18:9-14 The Pharisee and Publican Within [Study Aired September 15,2020 Luk 18:9-14 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:\u00a0Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.\u00a0The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[939,58,27,1726,4193,4194,420,143],"class_list":["post-21498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-studies","tag-harmony","tag-keep","tag-law","tag-parables","tag-pharisee","tag-publican","tag-righteousness","tag-watch","series-harmony","series-keep","series-law","series-parables","series-pharisee","series-publican","series-righteousness","series-watch"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/server1.xploreseo.com\/iswasandwillbe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/server1.xploreseo.com\/iswasandwillbe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/server1.xploreseo.com\/iswasandwillbe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/server1.xploreseo.com\/iswasandwillbe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/server1.xploreseo.com\/iswasandwillbe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21498"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/server1.xploreseo.com\/iswasandwillbe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21498\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21499,"href":"https:\/\/server1.xploreseo.com\/iswasandwillbe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21498\/revisions\/21499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/server1.xploreseo.com\/iswasandwillbe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/server1.xploreseo.com\/iswasandwillbe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21498"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/server1.xploreseo.com\/iswasandwillbe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}