"...proving that this is very Christ." _ Acts 9:22
"...proving that this is very Christ." _ Acts 9:22

September 14th

THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN (Continued)

 

Scripture Reading: Luke 18:9-14

 

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon 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 every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

 

     In addition to his statement about fasting twice in the week, the Pharisee concluded his prayer with, "I give tithes of all that I possess." Consider what the Law prescribed concerning tithing. Deuteronomy 14:22,23 states, "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always."

 

     The items outlined in Deuteronomy speak to our Lord. Corn, from which comes bread, points to the Bread of Life Whose Body was broken for us, and the wine represents His Blood bringing in a New Covenant that was shed for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28). Wine is also a type of His Spirit and It does not cause drunkenness as one would suppose. Oil speaks to the anointing ministry of the Holy Ghost. The firstling of the cattle speaks to Christ our Passover Who was sacrificed for us (2 Corinthians 5:7).

 

     What is the problem with giving God what He asks? He has a holy reason for asking it. All that He asks of us He has already provided in His Son, Christ Jesus our Lord by Whom all things consist (Colossians 1:17). In the Revelation 6:6 it reads, And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine." The corn (grain), wine, and oil represent immutable spiritual things for the Body of Christ. Believers are meant to fulfill these types as well by growing up into the measure of His stature. The firstling of the cattle is not mentioned here in the Revelation because only Christ Jesus could fulfill the perfect Sacrifice. The beast that is speaking is a living creature in the spirit!

 

Continued

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