Luke 18:9-14.  This is a parable for all people who trust in themselves and their own good behavior to get them to heaven instead of putting their trust in Jesus and His perfect, imputed righteousness.  In this parable, Jesus compares two figures: 
  •  a Pharisee (who was considered the ultimate law-abiding citizen)
  • a tax-collector (who was considered the most wicked person imaginable).

Do you want to be poor in spirit?  Let’s look at how the Pharisee failed and the tax collector began ‘a better pursuit’ leading to the “kingdom of heaven”:

“9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 

10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 

12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The tax collector was a man who was probably quite wealthy, but he realized that he was spiritually bankrupt.  Tax collectors were considered to be in the same social category as harlots and drunks.

[1]  In fact, they usually hung out with them.  They were “bad people,”  the lowest of the low.  Jews thought of them as the very furthest thing from God. 

The tax-collector put himself far away from the center of attention that day at the Temple, staying toward the edge of the grounds.  He was fully aware that he has no right to be there.  He knew that he was unworthy of being in the presence of other worshippers, let alone in the presence of God.  He was an outsider, and outcast, and an exile.  He was “poor in spirit.”

Overwhelmed with shame and disgrace, he humbly confessed his guilt before the Lord.  He made no attempt to justify himself.  He was fully aware that nothing in him merited God’s favor.  Every part of his physical demeanor expressed shame and remorse over his sins. 

Praying with his eyes down and hands over his chest was a posture of humility.  As he prayed, his hands formed fists and he pounded his chest, a clear sign of extreme anguish.  He was mourning over his sin here.  This man was openly sorry for the evil he had treasured up in his heart.  When he realized his depravity, he simply asked God for a change in heart. 

In verse 13 he pray, “‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’”  That prayer is short and to the point.  This man is fully aware of his great need for God’s grace.  He was not under any illusion that he might be able to work his way to heaven.  He knew that pleading for salvation and receiving it as a free gift from God was his only hope. 

So, he offered a genuine plea for God’s mercy… and God gave it to him!  Jesus said in verse 14, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.”  Our text today says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  To them belongs ‘justification.’

Jesus’ message was simple:

  • All who attempt to win God’s favor based on a righteousness of their own are going to fail and condemn themselves in the process.
  • All who seek God’s grace and clothe themselves with Christ’s righteousness are saved through their faith and by God’s grace alone.  These are the “poor in spirit.”


[1] Matt 21:31-32

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Mark Stafford

Senior Pastor