Luke 18: 13 “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.’"
Jesus is telling a parable. The Pharisee has prayed proudly, citing his fasting and tithing to all. The tax collector prays differently. He is humble and repenting. Jesus says the one who goes to heaven in the tax collector.
Tax collector were sell-outs in Jesus's day. They worked for the occupiers, and many were corrupt, taking more than they gave the Romans and keeping the surplus for themselves. No one likes taxes, and no one would like paying taxes to a government which has occupied their land. Add to that the taint of corruption, and you have one low-life individual. Yet he is the one in heaven, for he sees himself as he is. He doesn't rationalize; he knows his sins, and he begs for mercy. Let me be humble when it comes to my own shortcomings. The last thing I want to be is self-righteous.
Prayer: Lord, I know how short I fall of Your expectations for me. I am weak. I rejoice in things that are wrong. I speak when I should be quiet, and I don't act when my action would make things better. Have mercy on me; forgive my sins. Help me to forgive those who hurt me, as I know this is the path to forgiveness for my own weakness.
Amen
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