Mercy

Luke 10:36-37 ESV

“Which of these three (the Levite, the priest, or the (Good) Samaritan), do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

When we receive mercy, we are thankful, at least for the times that we remember. What about the times that the Father has shown us mercy when we did not see it, recognize it, or know that mercy was being granted to us. The Father is always showing mercy, what He asks is that we “go and do likewise.” I know most of us would say that we show mercy. What about the person that we personally know that needs grace and mercy and it is in our power to help them? What about the family member that did us wrong, if they were on the side of the road like in this parable, would we help them? What about the person that we have forgiven but they are in need, do we withhold our hand to help them?

I admit, it is not always easy to show mercy in every situation, but mercy is what we walk in every day, from the one who gave us eternal life. From the one who gave us His Son to die on a cruel cross for us. From the one who forgave all our past sins, all our present sins, and all the sins in the future. That is real love, that is real mercy.

Prayer:

Lord, as I have received mercy freely, help me to give mercy freely to those who are in need of mercy. In Your name, Lord Jesus I pray, Amen!