HAVE MERCY ON US (3-13-10)

Luke 18:13
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
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The Pharisee and the tax collector. Both of them went to the temple to pray. Both of them called on to God and thanked Him.

And so what is the difference between how they prayed, such that the latter was exalted in heaven and went home justified and forgiven.

Humility…

There were few people among the Jews in those days who were as despised as the publicans, the tax collectors. They were regarded as traitors who worked for a foreign power to extract money from their own people. Very often they were corrupt, taking more money than they should.

And he knows the condition of his heart… and he begged for mercy.

He places himself in the front ranks of sinners – the worst of the worst – the sinner, and he lays before God in complete humility that awareness.

The publican does not reel off a litany of his sins, as the Pharisee unfolds his virtues. He just says to God that he is a sinner and asks for God’s mercy.

No one can repent for us, we can only do that ourselves.

It is our own heart we must turn towards God, and we can only do so with God’s help. It is our own soul, itself a gift from God, that we must place in the care of God, through the constant assistance of His Holy Spirit. Pray, then, with al humility… God be merciful to me, a sinner.

Let us pray +

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. God be merciful to me a sinner. God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me. Thou has created me; Lord, have mercy on me. I have sinned immeasurably; Lord, forgive me. God be merciful to me a sinner. Amen +

It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.