Text :Luke 18:13
“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’.
The Lord taught the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector which is found in Luke 18:9-14 to show that those who exalt themselves will be humbled while those who humble themselves will be exalted.
In the narrative, the Pharisee and the tax collector went to pray in the temple. While the former arrogantly, boastfully and pridefully relied on his self righteousness for God to answer his prayers, the latter in sincere humility saw himself as a sinner, deserving no privileges in God, pleaded for mercy. The conclusion was that the tax collector went to his house justified (made righteous, with all the blessings of the righteous, including answers to prayers and divine exaltation) while the Pharisee missed all.
It is our obligation as God’s children to be faithful in tithing, giving reasonable offerings to support God’s work and being committed to fasting and prayer among other things. However, we should not flaunt such services as credentials for acceptance and blessings from the God. God hates self-righteousness, pride and arrogance but He rewards sincere humility and self-abasement which looks up to Him for mercy. The prayers of such humble people are often accompanied with brokenheartedness and tears which are lacking in the case of the arrogant. We should always pray for God’s mercy even as we do the best we can as we serve Him. In Christ Jesus, sinners who are despised like the tax collectors of Jesus’ day can enjoy unlimited blessings if they look up to the Lord in humility, admitting their sinfulness.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I deserve nothing good from you but be merciful to me and bless me.
Happy Sunday. I declare you blessed this new week and beyond in the name of JESUS Christ.
The Rev Godwin Amaowoh,PhD, FnbR
GSEC AGN