Showing Mercy
Justice…mercy…grace. Most of us are familiar with those terms and their definitions.
Justice: getting what we deserve.
Mercy: not getting what we deserve.
Grace: getting what we don’t deserve.
If there’s a sermon offered on this subject, typically it focuses on how God chose not to exercise justice (and judgment) on us due to our sins but rather offered grace (and salvation) through the atoning death of Christ.
And, to be sure, those are wonderful truths to ponder. However, when is the last time you heard a sermon on mercy?
Lexham Theological Wordbook defines mercy as, “Taking pity on someone or sparing them from something.” Here’s another definition: Mercy is the compassionate treatment of those in need, especially when it’s within one’s power to punish or harm them.
It is part of God`s nature to be merciful. Throughout Scripture, His merciful character is revealed:
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." Psalm 103:8
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning...” Lamentations 3:22-23
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies…” 2 Corinthians 1:3
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy…” Ephesians 2:4
Verse after verse praises the Lord’s mercy. Please take note that this is the same God who is holy and righteous. Apparently, He doesn’t see exhibiting and extending mercy in conflict with that.
Be Merciful
As His children, our lives are to image the character of God in this world, and that includes mercy. Jesus put it plainly: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36
What’s troubling is that mercy is a value that is exhibited less and less these days. The Barna Group, a Christian research firm, found that a significant number of Christians struggle to show mercy.
Whether it’s a fear of being soft on sin or a function of feeling the need to be right, when faced with someone who is living in sin or disobedience, we are all too often harsh, judgmental, and downright cruel in our condemnation. As a result, when it comes right down to how people describe those who claim the name of Jesus, mercy isn’t a word they use.
How different from Jesus. As He looked out upon the crowds, we’re told that, sin stained as they were, He had compassion on them. When someone needed Jesus’ help, they would cry out, “Jesus, have mercy on me!” And the Savior would then respond by freely healing or delivering.
"Learn what this means..."
Jesus personified this attitude throughout His life. One of the best examples came on the heels of His call to Matthew. If there were ever anyone undeserving of mercy it was this man. A tax collector, he was despised and marginalized. Yet we read…
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’
Matthew 9:9-13
The Pharisees were all about religious ritual and rule-keeping. They prided themselves on being right and acting right. However, in so doing they pushed sinners away more than they pulled them in.
How different from Jesus, who attracted lost people like a magnet. Make no mistake, He never lowered His standards. Yet His mercy, compassion, and kindness were undeniable even before repentance took place.
I’m still grappling with how to maintain that balance. Yet I’m struck by Jesus’ challenge, “Go learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy not sacrifice.’”
The Old Testament prophet Micah spoke clearly to this: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
To love mercy. In these challenging days when there is so much accusation and condemnation…and when there are loud calls for justice and judgment, I think it will be an important thing for God’s people to come to grips with.
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