Devotion for Luke 18:9-17 | Proper 25 – Year C

Today's devotional reading comes from the A Year in the New Testament and focuses on the Gospel reading from Luke 18:9–17.

Scripture Readings

Genesis 4:1–15
Psalm 5
2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18
Luke 18:9–17

Read the propers for today in Lutheran Service Builder.

Introduction

The devotional reading for today centers on the abundant mercy of God, which rescues us from our sinful condition and makes us heirs in Christ's kingdom. We delight in our dependence upon the Lord's mercy revealed to us in the person and work of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Devotional Reading

[The] Church that will be forever is the Church of the tax collectors; the Church of those who beat their breast and ask for mercy. Mercy, though, is perhaps a bit weak of a translation. More literally: “be propitious to me” or “provide a sacrifice of atonement for me.” The one telling the parable is the answer to the tax collector’s prayer. Jesus is that sacrifice of atonement. He is the mercy of God. The proud, like the Pharisee, don’t imagine they need Him. They are content with what they’ve done and parade that before God in prayer, not asking from Him but informing Him how fortunate He is to have such a devout servant.

The Church that will be forever is the Church of beggars only. They have nothing to give and can only receive. The little children that Jesus calls to Himself are the perfect picture. What can a baby do? Can it change its diaper? Feed itself? Clothe itself? Provide shelter? No. It can only be given these things.
So the Lord extols the little ones as who are in a position only to receive, those whose only act is to plead for mercy. May the Lord lift us to the joy of being such a little one.

From Treasury of Daily Prayer, page 841 © 2008 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

Devotional reading is from A Year in the New Testament, page 147 © 2010 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.