9 Jesus spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 18:9-14 - World English Bible

In Luke's gospel, Jesus flipped social convention on its head. In the parable of the Phraisee and the Tax Collector, most people would have seen the Pharisee as the “good guy.” His spiritual life and charity were on display; those qualities made him a social magnet. The populace would have avoided the tax collector as a “bad guy.” He collected monies for an oppressive foreign power and enriched himself through the extortion legalized under the Roman tax system. Yet, Jesus declared only the tax collector justified before God. Why? The reason was simple. The Pharisees never asked for anything; in fact, he didn't really pray; he simply bragged. Unlike the pride of the Phraisees, the tax collector asked in humility. “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Have you asked for mercy from God today?