Each week our pastor regularly writes and contributes articles on a blog called The Publicans. Why is it called ‘The Publicans?’ Because it is a straight forward statement of who he is, who he and the other contributors knows themselves to be, and why they love Jesus Christ so very much.
“Lord be merciful to me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)
In Luke 18:9-14 we find a parable written to those who trusted in their own goodness and righteousness. Jesus proceeded to tell these prideful people that it was the Publican (the sinful tax collector) who was justified by faith rather than the Pharisee (the seemingly proper, collected, squeaky clean religious man). Why is this? Because while the Pharisee was publicly boasting of his own goodness the Publican shows us the definition of godly humility and repentance by not even being able to lift his head to heaven but rather beating on his chest screaming “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!”
Through reading these resources on the blog, may God grant that you join the Publican’s refrain and find that the end of ourselves is the beginning of life in Christ.
Lord, like the publican I stand,
And lift my heart to Thee;
Thy pardoning grace, O God, command,
Be merciful to me.
I smite upon my anxious breast,
Overwhelmed with agony;
O’ save my soul by sin oppressed,
Be merciful to me.
My guilt, my shame, I all confess,
I have no hope nor plea
But Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
Be merciful to me.
Here at Thy cross I still would wait,
Nor from its shelter flee,
But Thou, O God, in mercy great,
Art merciful to me.
(Thomas Raffles, 1831)
SonRise Community Church 