"Lord, have mercy!" is a loosely used term when people are shocked about something or if they get a fright. The tax collector is calling out for God to have mercy on him. The way he calls out is not flippant but rather authentic and desperate for compassion and
forgiveness. He knows God has the power and authority to punish him, yet he cries out for mercy.
Although despised by many, being a tax collector certainly had benefits. The collectors were free to "tax" the people at their discretion after they had collected the amount due to the kingdom.
As a result, they lived a good life while others struggled unfairly at their hands. At times, as South Africans, our tax collectors are not that different to those of old.
The tax collector in this passage is different, though. He has recognised his sin and has humbled himself sadly before God
with downcast eyes and striking his chest, asking for mercy. The tax collector does not recount his good deeds to win God's forgiveness. For him, his sin outweighed the good in his life, and yet he longed for salvation. He has put his trust in God, knowing that God will forgive him and not punish him, that God would show mercy for him as a sinner. A short prayer but to the point. God answered a short prayer.
God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. This man was different to the Pharisee who thought himself better than his neighbours. The tax collector was self-condemned, not self-righteous; he found favour with God and received his mercy.
I invite you to take notice of your thoughts, words and actions today. Remember to pray the short "tax collector" prayer asking for God's mercy towards you, a sinner.
