Kyrie, Eléison (Lord, Have Mercy)

Day 106: Luke 18:1-17

“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"' - Luke 18:13 ESV

As far as we can look back into the Christian history of organized worship, we see that Jesus-followers have always sung "Kyrie, eléison" to begin times of praise. It is Greek for "Lord, have mercy."

The Pharisees had fallen into the harmful habit of treating others as less-than and themselves as elite.

The story Jesus tells illustrates the Tax Collector's willingness to express his complete dependence upon God for pardon for what he had done. He realized his deep need for redemption. Jesus will not forgive those who refuse to see themselves as God sees them.

We come, having our sin revealed and eager for supernatural transformation.

We declare, "Lord, have mercy."

Jesus declares, "Child, your sins are forgiven."

We respond a thousand times, "Thank you."

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" - 1 John 3:1 NIV

"The principle behind it all is that he who exalts himself will be humbled. No-one has anything of which he can boast before God. By contrast, he who humbles himself will be exalted (cf. 14:11). The penitent sinner who humbly looks for God’s mercy will find it." - Morris, L. (1988). Luke: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 3, pp. 282–283)