God, have mercy!

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me a sinner.’” Luke 18:13

God, have mercy!
Two men. One puffed up with pride. The other beaten down with guilt. One so convinced of his own superiority that he felt the need to announce it to the world. The other so aware of his own corruption and greed that he crumbled in a corner, tears flowing down his face, his fists beating his breast. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. One of Jesus’ most famous parables (Luke 18:9-14).

Do you consider yourself a good person? Maybe you go to church every Sunday. Maybe you volunteer to teach Sunday School or help out at a local charity. Maybe you help cut your elderly neighbor’s lawn. We all like to think of ourselves as good people.

But when we look at ourselves honestly in the mirror of God’s law, what do we see? We see our pride, our materialism, and our messed up priorities. We are no better than that corrupt tax collector cowering in the corner. We desperately need God’s mercy.

And we have it. God did send his Son to be the sacrifice for all our sins. Through his Word and the waters of Holy Baptism he has washed us clean of our guilt. God has had mercy on us. We are forgiven.

Prayer: God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.