THE PRAYER THAT GOD HEARS

Passage: Luke 18:9-17

Key verse: 13

NIV

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness(A) and looked down on everyone else,(B) Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray,(C) one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself(D) and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast(E) twice a week and give a tenth(F) of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast(G) and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’(H)

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”(I)

The Little Children and Jesus(J)

15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child(K) will never enter it.”

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 He also told this parable to some (A)who trusted (B)in themselves that they were righteous, (C)and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men (D)went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, (E)standing by himself, prayed[a] (F)thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 (G)I fast twice a week; (H)I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, (I)standing far off, (J)would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but (K)beat his breast, saying, ‘God, (L)be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For (M)everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Let the Children Come to Me

15 (N)Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they (O)rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, (P)“Let the children come to me, and (Q)do not hinder them, (R)for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 (S)Truly, I say to you, whoever does not (T)receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 18:11 Or standing, prayed to himself
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The self-righteous Pharisee and the Pharisee (9-14) Jesus told this parable to those who compare themselves with others and think that they are a little better. This Pharisee thought he was worthy of being heard. The self-righteous person who prays to God and expects to be answered on the basis of his own merit does not know God, and does not know himself. Tax collectors were public sinners. This man had no illusions about himself. He came to God as a sinner, asking only the mercy of God. He knew that the righteous God is merciful to sinners who repent. He prayed the prayer that God always hears and answers: "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." God forgives and exalts those who come to him like this. 2. The little children and Jesus (15-17) Jesus' disciples didn't know the mind of Jesus. They thought that children were unimportant to him, because he was so busy. But Jesus welcomed the children--and taught us that the kingdom of God belongs to those who come to him with simple, trusting, childlike faith.

Prayer: Lord, I come to you just as I am. I am nothing but dust and ashes, but you are righteous and merciful. I come because you have promised to receive and forgive sinners.

One Word: God hears a sinner's prayer