73. Justified and Exalted
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
The tax collector in the parable who said, “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” was justified and exalted. This is a promise that holds true and reliable for all people. This pronouncement has the marks of a conditional promise: if you humble yourself, then you will be exalted. And also: if you cry mercy, then you will be justified. The cry for mercy is a humbling of self. Begging mercy admits I am a sinner and I can In not way earn favor or justify myself. The one who knows he is a sinner who is unworthy of entering into the presence of God is the one who begs mercy and is the one who humbles himself. God justifies that one and exalts him.
God has mercy, justifies and exalts because of Christ, not because a person asks for mercy and humbles himself, and not because of anything a man does at all. However, the humble, empty, needy and begging sinner is the one who is open, honest, willing and ready to receive mercy, justification and exaltation. God pours himself into an empty vessel, for He cannot empty Himself into a vessel that is already full of self. The prideful Pharisee does not want help or need mercy. “I’m OK, thank you.” God is ready to justify and exalt the Pharisee, too, but self and pride block the way. We ourselves should listen to Jesus and realize that He is speaking to our prideful hearts, the Pharisee within.
This prayer (“God be merciful to me, a sinner”) has been known for over 1500 years as the Jesus Prayer. It has been recommended by many as a beneficial prayer that all Christians can use every day. This is good advice: pray the mercy prayer daily and be justified and exalted daily.