Artwork: Big Stock 

What does it mean to be justified?  It means that the tax collector had a clear conscience and was grounded in the truth.  He knew his need for mercy, begged for it and received it.  He did not lie to himself, to others or to God.  He knew who he was and it is this truth that allowed God to exalt him.  The tax collector’s justification came through the forgiveness of his sins and the bestowal of the mercy of God in his life.

The Pharisee may have felt good about himself to a certain extent in that he elevated himself for all to see.  He was convinced of his own self-righteousness but, in truth, was not righteous.  He was only self-righteous.  He was living a lie and most likely believed that lie and even may have convinced others of that lie.  But the fact remained, the Pharisee was not righteous and he was not truly justified.

What we must take from this passage is a profound realization of the importance of living in the truth.  Those who paint a false image of themselves may fool themselves and may even fool others.  But they will never fool God and they will never be able to achieve true peace in their soul.  We each must realize the humble truth of our sin and weakness and, in that realization, beg for the only remedy – the mercy of God.