The Practice of Mercy

Somehow, Moravian cookies seem like a
merciful gift to the world!

Scripture:

Luke 6:37   “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; ³⁸ give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Observation:

Jesus’ sermon continues, after he has just declared that his followers are to be merciful, just as the Father is merciful. That is language of holiness because it reflects the character and nature of God. Now, Jesus begins to give practical examples of what it means to practice that mercy in the world. 

Mercy includes an understanding of grace. God is gracious to all of his children, therefore, we are to be a people who also extend grace. This language on judgement reflects on the fact that we are to be a people who judge according to justice. Joel Green reminds us that, “Jesus’ command not to judge or condemn does not mean that we never confront sin. Rather, what Jesus condemns is hypocritical judgment” (NICNT). Therefore, justice and grace must go hand in hand, so that when we are judged according to the justice of God, we recognize that we are also recipients of forgiveness through God’s grace. When we practice mercy, we bear this in mind for all individuals. It is an understanding of prevenient grace, that God reaches out to all of humanity, not prejudging anyone. We are also to be a people of grace who do not prejudge others as unworthy of the redemption found in Jesus Christ. 

David Neale takes this further, and into the practice of the community of God. When we try to live within this balance of justice and grace we must be willing to abandon our claims to retribution, “a prerogative reserved exclusively to God. We are to practice unconditional love not just toward fellow disciples, but even toward enemies, trusting the justice of God to make it all right in the end” (Neale, NBBC).

Finally, the practice of mercy is explained as a grain salesman in the market. This is grace at work, because when the grain is poured out, it is sold by volume. This salesman says to lift up your garment and let’s fill it as full as possible. Shake it a little bit and see if it settles so we can get more in there. Then, let’s press it down and see if we can pour more on top until you have as much as you can handle. And if you behave in this way toward others, then you will be treated by the Father in the same way. 

Application:

What incredible examples of grace and justice we find in the words of Jesus. The connection to our behaviors and to mercy are so important to our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. These passages are ones that we really have to wrestle with as God’s people. Far too often we are quick to judge those outside the community of faith, and yet, the practice of mercy calls for us to have a generous spirit. God has lavished his love and grace upon us. The Father is the grain salesman who has said that he will give us much more than we deserve — just because he loves us. This is the nature of God. We are to have that same nature pouring out of us. 

Who is it in this world that we judge? These days, it seems that the world is filled with people who are judging others. If we disagree with someone we may just write them out of our lives. None of that has a place in the life of a follower of Christ. Everyone will make mistakes and will stand in need of grace. How are we going to show that grace, without judgment, to those with whom we come into contact? 

In my little part of the world, it feels like we’re starting to emerge from our year of the pandemic and see people again. Little by little this will happen as the pandemic subsides. We need to think about our encounters with real people in the days ahead. I think we need to shed our virtual image and truly engage with flesh and blood people, having deep conversations and wrestling with what it means to show mercy as our Father is merciful. 

Holiness is living out the character of God in this world, and it begins with showing mercy. Now more than ever, that mercy is desperately needed in our world. 

Prayer:

Lord, help me to practice mercy in my life. Amen.