Week 3 – PARABLES
Repentance
– Rev. Ashton Oxenden (The Earnest Communicant: A Course of Preparation for the Lord’s Table, 1856, pp. 14-16)
Meditation: LUKE XVIII. 13.
“THE PUBLICAN, STANDING AFAR OFF, WOULD NOT LIFT UP SO MUCH AS HIS EYES UNTO HEAVEN.”
What a pattern of a truly humble and contrite soul! Let me gaze awhile on this picture; and let me remember that it is drawn by Him who knows well the heart of man; and it is drawn, too, for my profit.
There were two men. One had been exclaiming in a boastful spirit, “God, I thank thee that I am not as other men,” &c. “I have some some righteousness of my own to trust in, and to recommend myself to Thee. I am not on a level with the common herd of sinners. I have fasted twice this week. I have been guilty of no outward gross sin.”
But what says the other? See him standing afar off, conscious that he is not worthy in himself to draw nigh to a holy God—convinced that he has nothing in himself, nor has done anything, for which he deserves God’s favour. But, looking at the dreadful corruption of his own heart, and seeing a fearful amount of evil within, and numerous transgressions in his outward life, he feels with David, “My iniquities have taken such hold of me that I am not able to look up.” Cut off from every hope, and every plea of his own, he unburdens his sin-distressed soul, and breathes forth the earnest cry, “God be merciful to me a sinner!”
Now hear the judgment of Him who is the Friend of sinners; “I tell you, (I, who am the Judge of all, tell you,) this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.” And hear the reason—“For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Oh for the spirit of this Publican! What! am I less a sinner than he was? Have I less need of pardon and mercy? How utterly unworthy am I to approach God at any time, especially to come to his holy feast! Dare I draw so near to my Saviour and my Lord? Verily I am not worthy to gather up the crumbs under his table. But still, I am invited, I am encouraged, I am bidden to come. I have much reason, indeed, to go as a poor needy sinner to a bountiful and loving Saviour. I earnestly desire to go with a penitent, believing, expecting heart; and then shall I not be sure to come away refreshed and comforted?
Well is it for me, if the feeling of my great sinfulness sends me with brokenness of heart to Christ, smiting on my breast, and crying, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”