Read Luke 18:9-14
“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!'”—Luke 18:13
Jesus turned His attention to the tax collector in the parable. The tax collector recognized his sin and simply prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” It’s arguably one of the most effective prayers in the Bible. Not because it was long or short, properly structured and framed, or rich in theological content and details. Its effectiveness was in the purity of heart in which the prayer was offered.
Like the Pharisee, the tax collector had surveyed his life, but the tax collector arrived at an honest conclusion about himself; he was a sinner in need of God’s mercy. The tax collector admitted a truth about himself the Pharisee refused to recognize—“God, I’ve done wrong.” The Pharisee left the temple in worse condition than he arrived because he was struck blind by the brilliance of his self-righteousness. Meanwhile the tax collector left liberated and righteous because of his humble, earnest plea for mercy.
There’s something about honesty, humility and heartfelt repentance that touches the heart of God. Ignoring or hiding our sin from God is denying ourselves access to the single source of healing in our lives. God knows we’re human and subject to sin. He made a means of atoning for sin through His Son Jesus Christ. Yet atonement can’t take place without acknowledging our shortcomings.
Until we admit the truth of who and what we are, we’ll never overcome who and what we are. Jesus tells us, “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (v14). As we survey our own lives, are we the tax collector who humbly recognizes the truth about our human frailties? Or are we the Pharisee who chooses to present our credentials and “spiritual resume” to God while highlighting the failures of our fellow-man?
Am I the Pharisee or the tax collector?
Lesson to Remember: Greatness is not so much about our brilliance and eloquence as our honesty and humility.
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”—Proverbs 28:13
