Reflecting on the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner), I went back to Luke 18. One of the possible pieces of Scripture that the Jesus Prayer is derived from. It is a parable about a Pharisee and a Poor Man.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 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!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)
Notice how the Tax Collector (someone in Jewish culture to be looked down upon and considered the lowest in Jewish society) says “GOD have mercy on me a sinner”. Now let’s keep reading;
As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!” And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Luke 18:35-43 (ESV)
If you recall from verses 9-14 the Tax Collector calls out “GOD HAVE MERCY ON ME” but a couple verses down we see that the Blind Man also cries out “SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME”. This connection is Scripture is showing that Jesus is Yahweh God because He can be called out for mercy in the same sense as the Father! Also notice how the Blind Beggar says “SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME”. This also refutes Nestrotianism since the Human aspect of Jesus “Son of David” can be associated with the Divine Nature of Jesus. Logically following that the Divine and Human natures are inserprable such that the Divine Functions of the One Person of Christ can be associated with the Human Functions of Christ. WOW! The depth of Scripture!
The Bible is a Trinitarian book! Glory to our Great God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ!
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