humble

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Although fate presents the circumstances, how you react depends on your character.

HUMBLE PRAYER
"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'GOD, be merciful to me a sinner!'" [Luke 18. 13]

"Mercy and propitiation/atonement" (Hebrew: "checed" / "kaphar") are interrelated words that are closely interconnected. The mercy of the HOLY GOD, blessed be HE, is not all that the tax collector was asking for, he was humbly asking for reconciliation to be made for him. Thus, he was speaking of the saving work of MESSIAH YESHUA, the ONE WHO came "to make propitiation (atonement) for the sins of the people." [Hebrews 2. 17]

The true story told of the proud Pharisee and the humble publican is set in the context of the Jewish Temple worship, where sinners would bring their sacrificial offering to cover their sins, knowing that "the life of the flesh is in the blood; it is the blood, as life, that makes atonement for the soul." [Leviticus (Vayikra) 17. 11 Tanakh, Torah] Such sacrifices were completely worthless, however, if offered in a spirit of religious pride or self-righteousness. . . like the self-important attitude of the Pharisee. There must be repentance and faith in ALMIGHTY GOD's promise of forgiveness through the death of an innocent substitute which pre-figured the TRUE LAMB OF GOD WHOSE coming death would truly make eternal reconciliation for the sins of the people. The publican prayed in this manner and his sins were forgiven, covered completely.

Since the cross, a sinner's prayer for forgiveness must express the same humble attitude: "MERCIFUL and HOLY GOD, be my PROPITIATION on the basis of the death and resurrection of YOUR SON, YESHUA ha'MASHIACH, for my sins." Such a sincere prayer made in complete repentance and faith in the ETERNAL HOLY ONE's promise will bring justification. We can be like the tax collector who "went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." [Luke 18. 14] I bow low in honour and worship of GOD my KING.





Sha’alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
LORD, help us to break down the barriers which keep us from YOU. . . falsehood & faithlessness, callousness & selfishness, injustice & hard-heartedness.