Mr. Pharisee and Mr. Publican lived in the town of Doomsville, both heard that a great Physician was going to be in the neighboring town of Gilead. The great Physician was going to hold a free Health Clinic and give people a free complete examination, and if they passed this examination he would give them a clean bill of health. Many people walked from Doomsville up to go see the great Physician, Mr. Pharisee was determined to be the first in line to verify his clean bill of health. so away he went cutting in front of others and seeing some who struggled in the journey because of their age but he quickly passed them. arriving at his destination he was as he planned first in line to get a clean bill of health. he was invited in to see the great Physician, but after a thorough examination the Great Physician told Mr. Pharisee that he had a terrible disease and that he was going to die, Mr. Pharisee said I won't believe this and in anger he threatened the great Physician with stoning and stormed out of his office.
Just like Mr. Pharisee, Mr. Publican walked away from Doomsville as well but could not travel in the speed he would have liked because of all his aches and pains, also he was heavy ladden with a load of guilt upon his back, and the road was steep, after some time he arived at the clinic but found himself last in line. The great Physician was kind and invited him in and after his examination he told Mr. Publican that (Isaiah 1:5-6) "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment". When Mr Publican heard this he began to weep profusely and asked if there was any hope? the great Physician came and sat beside Mr. Publican and put his arm around him and then took some balm that he had and put it in his sores and bound up his wounds, he also told him that "thy sins be forgiven thee", and when he said this Mr. Publican felt his heavy load come off his back and he turned around to see the heavy load but could not find it. Mr. Publican was very happy and left and told all of his friends and neighbors what had happen and even went into all the world publishing the goodness of the great Physician. This illustration is taken from Luke 18:10-14
Luke 18:14 "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."
2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"