A Tax Break - Luke 18:13

Luke 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ (NRSV)

Do you ever have one of those days when you feel as though you’ve taken a wrong turn, done something stupid, or been very selfish? Me, too. I don’t know how you personally cope with those kinds of days, but they sometimes make me feel as though I can’t approach God for any help, hope, or healing. My foolish mistake or sinful act separates me from God, and so my pride or shame won’t let me immediately turn to Him for pardon, grace, or restoration. It’s as if I’m angry with myself or feel as though I’m wasting God’s precious time. However, at some crucial point, I reluctantly traipse back to Him like the tax collector in today’s verse, hang my head in shame, and mumble a plea for forgiveness.

Almost immediately, I experience a sense of relief and of being reconnected to God. I know I don’t deserve His gracious love, but I am very glad to receive it. By forgiving my sin, God restores me to His delight; by pardoning my mistake, I not only feel better, but I want to do things better for God and His Kingdom. To be forgiven is a precious gift that I hope I will never take for granted; to be restored to God’s favor is a wonderful way to begin my life again.

Perhaps you are feeling burdened by past mistakes, sinful deeds, or personal failures. Maybe you’ve been carrying a whole boatload of guilt that is keeping you back from reconnecting with God. Or perhaps you just feel as though you’ve disappointed God and can’t approach Him for mercy or restoration. Please do not despair: God’s grace is far bigger than any or all of our sins; God’s love is far greater than any mistakes we have made. He allows us to ask for forgiveness, not because He wants to shame us, but because He wants to restore us and reconnect with our hearts and spirits. In other words, we may be great sinners, but Christ is an even greater Savior than all of our sins combined.

Point to ponder

What is my deepest regret or costliest mistake? Am I willing to bring this to God in prayer and ask for forgiveness?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely and are aware of everything we have foolishly or sinfully done. You ask us to come to You for mercy to give us the gift of God’s grace. We are truly thankful and totally humbled by Your merciful ways. In Your Holy Name, we joyfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come along and join us for worship on Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s worship drawings for Transfiguration Sunday. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Transfiguration.

In the Past - Acts 22:4

Acts 22:4 “I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison.” (NIV)

            I sin. You sin. We all sin. There’s not one of us perfect or sinless. We all have deep moments of regret or guilt from our past that we struggle with on a regular basis. To be sinful is to be human; to be perfect is to be Jesus, so none of us will ever reach that divine standard of sinlessness.

            In today’s reading, (Acts 22:1-16) the Apostle Paul is addressing an angry mob in Jerusalem. They believe he is ruining their faith and they want to run him out of town. When Paul is given the opportunity to speak, he lets them know about his history. He is Jewish-born, has been educated by Gamaliel, one of the most renowned Jewish teachers of his day, and he has hunted down and sent Christians to their death.

            What??? Was Paul involved in the persecuting and killing of Christians? The great apostle, who is still revered after almost two thousand years, was a killer of Christ’s people? How on earth did he get the job of being the missionary to the Gentiles? Why should we even read or listen to the words from such a sinful killer of Christ’s followers? Something must be wrong somewhere. God must have made a mistake.

            No, there’s no mistake. It was Jesus who chose Paul on the road to Damascus. It was Christ who turned his life around and appointed him to the task. It was Jesus who decided that Saul the slayer of Christians could become Paul the preacher to Gentiles. Christ changed his life from one of defiance to one of obedience.

            I sin. You sin. We all sin. We all need Jesus to save us from ourselves and to restore us to God’s favor. It’s His perfection that makes us holy. It’s His grace that forgives our past. It’s His mercy that gives us a new beginning and the opportunity to live for God and not ourselves. After all, if this was good enough for Paul, it’s more than good enough for us.

Point to ponder

What is my deepest regret? How can Christ release me from the past?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, even though we were sinners and enemies of God, You still came into the world to die for our sins and grant us the opportunity of forgiveness, renewal, and restoration. We thank You for this wonderful act of grace which still amazes us. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to make comments or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called ‘Outside a City Wall.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Outside.