04-01-24-ENG.

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 18:10–14
Have you ever looked around you, similar to what the Pharisee did, and inwardly thanked God that you are not like the others? It’s okay to admit it if you have. Admitting it is the first step to repentance and getting right with God. This kind of spirit, which causes us to feel better than others, keeps us distant from God and His mercy for us. You’ll notice from the passage that God showed mercy to the man who understood that he needed it. Mercy is sorely lacking today—whether it is in our words, conversations, or in our actions. Yet Jesus says it is this kingdom value that sets up the boomerang effect in your own life to receive it back. Those who show mercy are the same ones who can expect to get mercy. This kingdom value brings the biblical command to do unto others as you would have them do unto you into clearer view. Because the more mercy you are willing to show to others, the more access to mercy God enables you to have for yourself. And who couldn’t use a bit of mercy in their life from time to time? I think we all can.

Showing mercy to others requires that we first adopt the previous kingdom values in our lives, because mercy must be pure in motive for it to be mercy. A prideful person will never show mercy. The act of mercy is birthed in humility. As we saw in the passage for today, the Pharisee was confident he was doing all the right things. His heart was rooted in pride. But the publican knew he needed help. He knew he made mistakes and committed sin. Jesus made it clear to us through this parable that the one who asked for mercy out of a heart of humility received the mercy he needed. Jesus also emphasized that the Pharisee who had exalted himself would at some point be humbled. He would at some point find himself in a position where he realized he needed mercy. But by then, without a change of heart, it would be too late to access it. Similarly, when you and I go through our lives with a heart of pride and a lack of willingness to address the sins that are creating the misery and chaos that consume us, we will neither show others mercy nor receive any for ourselves.

Yet we can rest assured there will come a day when we will know how much we need it. When you call out to God for mercy, keep in mind that your previous actions will affect how He responds to you. Do not blame God if He withholds mercy you feel like you need. You might want to assess your past history and whether or not you showed mercy to others in their times of need as well. You can always request mercy, but you can never demand it. And while God is rich in mercy, He decides how much to give predicated on what you have done to others. 

Reaction:
Which of the two men in the parable do you most identify with and why? Why do you think God responded favorably to the tax collector and not the Pharisee? In what ways can you proactively look for ways to show mercy to others? 

Prayer:
Jesus, forgive me, for I am a sinner. I humbly bow before You and ask that You will forgive any and all pride that rises in my heart causing me to believe I am better than anyone else You have created. I want to show mercy to others, and I want to receive Your mercy, but I first ask that You will bless me with a spirit of humility so I can do that. In Your name I pray, amen.