Luke 18:13 (Jesus speaking), “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me the sinner.’” This tax collector was a tough and hardened individual who had turned against his own people, entering the employ of the Roman Empire, the pagan force that ruled the world. Because of the high taxes he demanded from the people, the tax collector had taken away his fellow citizens’ pleasure in living and had turned life into a burdensome existence. But he was ashamed and embarrassed by his sin ...