The Blessing of Mercy

Living the Sermon on the Mount Through the Practical Wisdom of Jesus' Parables

From the parable in Luke 18:9-14 of the

Pharisee and the tax collector

Pharisee: God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.

Tax Collector: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

The Pharisee wasn't lying about his record. That's what makes this parable so uncomfortable. He was telling the truth — he just had no idea that Jesus didn’t care about his record He cared about his heart.

The tax collector walked in with nothing to offer and knew it. No credentials, no comparisons, no carefully constructed case for why he deserved a hearing—just five words and an open hand. And Jesus said to his disciples that the tax collector was the one who walked away justified — not cleaned up, not impressive, just justified.

I've read this passage many times and it still catches me off guard. Maybe surprise is the whole point — that mercy is never something I can earn. That’s the blessing of mercy!

What if…I came before God today the way the tax collector did — with nothing to brag about?

Lord, catch me when I drift into comparison — measuring myself against others instead of simply standing before You. I don't need to make a case. I never did. In fact, I have no case. I just need Your mercy. That has always been enough. Amen

Let's do this together.

Founder, IHS Global