How we treat others matters to God. In the manner that we treat them we will be treated in eternity. Jesus cried with those who cried and rejoiced with those who were rejoicing. He loved people simply because they were created and loved by His Father.
God hates arrogance and pride!
Jesus’ humanity and compassion are repeatedly stressed by the author. This, coupled with Luke’s portrayal of Jesus’ sinless perfection, set up his logical conclusion. Because Jesus is the only perfect person born of a woman and because He identifies compassionately with the plight of suffering sinful people, He alone is qualified to carry our sorrows, bear our sin, and offer us the priceless gift of salvation. NKJ Bible
be merciful (Gk. hilaskomai) (18:13; Heb. 2:17) Strong’s #2433: The Greek word means “to be propitious” or “to be favorably inclined.” The term is used only one other time as a verb in the NT, and there it describes how Christ made reconciliation possible between God and humanity by His sacrifice on the Cross. Jesus is called “the propitiation for our sins.” Jesus, as our sacrifice, propitiated God concerning our sins; that is, He appeased God. This tax collector, well aware of his sinful condition, was asking God for reconciliation.
Luke 18:9–14 (NKJV)
9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise 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, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
A shocking role reversal—especially since Jesus could be telling this parable to Pharisees. The character who would have been perceived as righteous is rejected by God, while the character known for wickedness receives God’s acceptance. This teaching no doubt enraged Jesus’ audience.
Jesus identified the contrast between the Pharisee and the tax collector as one between pride and humility, between those who exalt and those who humble themselves. God will bring down the proud and will exalt the humble.
The tone of the prayer reveals the Pharisee’s problem. He uses the pronoun I five times in two verses. The Pharisee’s attitude seems to be that God should be grateful to him for his commitment. The man obviously looked down on other people and was proud of his fasting and tithing.
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