Why?
Because one was a tax collector.
The other was a pharisee, or just loved his or her sin more so would not come to the cross.
Its not rocket science.
who went home justified?
I mean, this is pretty much just what I'm talking about. The man who humbled himself went home justified. Who would debate that? The unanswered question is WHY did he humble himself? WHY did he know he couldn't offer anything to God?
I'll try asking you.
Are you somehow better, more moral, more humble, more intelligent than other people that DON'T humble themselves or figure the Truth of the Gospel?
WHO, revealed this Truth to you?
Matthew, tells us a lot of people think a lot of different things about Jesus.
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some
say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Today, a HUGE chunk of humanity STILL believe a lot of things about Jesus.
1. He doesn't exist.
2. He existed, but just as an unimportant historical figure.
3. He was a preacher and a prophet, but NOT the Son of God.
4. He was the Son of God, but NOT God Himself.
5. He was the Son of God, but He didn't rise to life after death.
and on and on.... of errors and UNREVEALED Truth about Jesus.
But not ONLY does Peter tell us who Jesus is, but Jesus Himself tells us EXACTLY how Peter came by this knowledge:
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for
flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven."
I don't understand why we can't simply give God total, 100% credit for bringing us to Him, giving us the faith to believe Him, and ultimately the ONLY One responsible for saving us?