Coming to Jesus with Regrets Shows Repentance More than Self-Esteem

Luke 18:9-17

Click for description of the mark of the beast.

• Is it right to prioritize self-righteousness while despising other humans.
• A prayerful heart can be found in those with the worse public image.
• Jesus wants infants to be allowed to come to Him.

Is it right to prioritize self-righteousness while despising other humans. “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:” Luke 18:9 The world we live in today is based on people trusting themselves. There is no belief in a Divine God and people are made the primary focus, which describes humanism, “…an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters.” It is also empowered by the mark of the beast which despises those who are not part of its social network. They do not believe in the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ and consider themselves to be righteous just as they are.

A prayerful heart can be found in those with the worse public image. “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.” Luke 18:10 The tax-collectors were usually Jewish who were working on behalf of the Romans and habitually overtaxing the Jewish people for self-gain. The Pharisees felt they had special status and were better morally than anyone else. They both went to the temple to pray, but which one really had a prayer in their heart? “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’” Luke 18:11-12 The Pharisees didn’t see a need for the forgiveness of their sins and justified themselves against the bad behaviors of others.

Then there was the tax collector, “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 It’s obvious there was a prayer in the heart of the tax-collector who felt remorse, acknowledged that he was a sinner, and asked God for mercy. “I tell you, this man 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

Jesus wants infants to be allowed to come to Him. God wants us to humble ourselves so that we come to Him for the forgiveness of sin and to believe in our heart and say with our mouth that Jesus is Lord. Infants are the humblest of creatures because they depend on others for their very life, but nowadays are prevented from being touched by Jesus. A similar thing happened with the disciples, “Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.” Luke 18:15 While the disciples meant well, a similar thing is happening in this world today. The thing that has power over physiology forms the emotions, feelings, and behaviors of infants and do not allow them to come to Jesus.

Today, infants are groomed to live by the mark of the beast by those around them. It especially happens from the start of nursery care and pre-school. The society which lives by the mark of the beast detest the idea of sin and despise the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:16 Jesus requires that infants are allowed to come to Him, and infants such as the prayerful tax-collector as well. “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Luke 18:17 This present world is destined for tribulation and everyone who lives by the mark of the beast will not enter in. Infants willingly receive the touch from the hand of Jesus, and we should be like that. Today, infants have a way of crying and throwing a fit at the name of Jesus, but that is the thing that has power over physiology preventing them from coming to Jesus.

---

“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1