A Season of Hope ~ Preparing Our Hearts for Easter
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.”
Venturing a guess, I would expect that almost every one of us would gladly receive mercy when we have wronged someone, suffered from illness or disaster, or have been an outcast. Sadly, in today’s world, we witness very little evidence of mercy extended but a lot of so-called justice or “he got what he deserved” attitude, don’t we? Do we turn a blind eye to those who feel worthless, rejected, and despised, and bogged down by past mistakes? Or do we respond with, “Let someone else help”?
The simple definition of mercy is compassion for people in need. It is our job as followers of Christ to offer mercy to those who offend us, help the suffering, and tell the hopeless among us that they have infinite worth and they are beloved by God. We can make a difference in the world by offering mercy.
First and foremost, a merciful attitude is produced when we are humble and recognize our need for a Savior. We become broken over our sin, we learn to loosen our grip of control on our lives and to wait and trust the Lord, and we hunger and thirst for righteousness. The Holy Spirit prompts us to be merciful toward others, an outgrowth of poverty of spirit, grief over sin, meekness, and hunger and thirst for righteousness. The familiar saying, “There but by the grace of God go I…” comes to mind.
Second, in practical terms for our day, mercy is refusing to see your enemy as an enemy. Mercy is not glorying in the suffering of another. Mercy is seeing a person, not a stereotype. Mercy is lifting others up not tearing them down. Mercy is not exacting revenge but offering grace.
Jesus has shown all of that towards us, Who through His mercy, has forgiven us and now calls us His own. We are reminded in Luke 6:36, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” During His short time on earth, Jesus was mercy personified, reflecting the character of God and His power, offering Himself as an example to the Disciples, and even to those who opposed Him.
His mercy was shown even from the Cross…
Father in Heaven, O how we love Your mercy! We deserved Your justice for our sins, but You heard our plea for mercy and forgave and received us as Your children. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who came to teach us how to be merciful and, in so doing, to glorify You. Remind us daily how to show mercy to others for Your sake and for the sake of your Kingdom. In the merciful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Painting, “Works of Mercy” by Jen Norton
