In Luke chapter 18 Jesus told a parable about two men: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee was proud and felt that he did not need to repent of, or feel sorry about, anything. In fact, he thought he was better than other people, including the tax collector. The tax collector, on the other hand, beat his breast and cried out, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Which of these two do you think was repentant? Of course, the correct answer is the tax collector. To repent is to be sorry about our sins and to trust that Jesus is our Savior from sin. He wants us to confess our sins to Him and to trust in Him for the forgiveness of our sins.
The passage below reveals that the residents of heaven are happy when a sinner repents and has faith in Christ for his salvation. We are not to trust in ourselves, as the Pharisee did, but in Christ alone for our hope of heaven. It makes God happy when, by the Holy Spirit’s work, people own up to their sin and have faith in Jesus.
It can be difficult to focus on ourselves and confess our own sins. For those who are faithful church-goers, it is easy to think of the absentees not in God’s house. For those who have been faithful ministers, it is easy to think of those who appear to be lacking in zeal and loyalty. For those who are tireless workers in their employment, it is easy to think of those who appear to be slacking off and wasting time.
However, the tax collector provides a good example for us. He focused only on himself and what he had done wrong, not what others were doing wrong.
For those who do as he did and are willing to confess their sins, they should know that God is persistent about saving them. In fact, God is persistent about saving you! He is joyful whenever one of His blood-bought children trusts in Jesus’ perfection—that His perfect life is credited to them. It gives Him great happiness whenever someone hears and believes that Jesus died on the cross in their place.
The tax collector directed his attention to the proper place. He said, “God, have mercy on me…” He knew that only God could save him. He knew God would do what His Word says He is happy to do…save us!
“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7