Blessed are the merciful,So many cry out for justice today. . . . and rightfully so in many cases. Please do not get me wrong. Our nation, our world is full of injustices! But it was so in Jesus' day as well. Yet He told His followers and us that those who offer MERCY are in deed blessed by God!
For they shall obtain mercy.(Matthew 5:7)
What is mercy anyway? It is NOT receiving what we deserve. We have pleaded mercy from our parents since we can remember. We plead mercy before the policeman or judge in traffic court. We plead mercy from our employers for our tardiness or lack of performance. We definitely plead mercy with God, because without it we are lost forever! Yet we DEMAND justice when we are wronged! We think it strange in fact when a victim publicly offers mercy and forgiveness, don't we? "How could they", we ask.
And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)He is saw a hurting and hungry crowd of over 5,,000 and could not ignore thier need. They were hungry and in need. He offered mercy, stopping and feeding each one! Did He have to do it? Could He have passed them by thinking someone else would do it? Was He too busy to serve them, teach them, reach them with compassion and mercy?
Many are lost today . . . lost in their economic situation . . . lost in relationships gone wrong . . . lost in the justice system . . .no hope, no guidance, no shepherd! What if we, the Church, could offer mercy rather than stirring the pot of hate, anger, and division? What if we offered a place of hope rather than gloom. What if showed compassion? What if we fed the crowd Truth, Grace, Compassion, Peace, and yes, MERCY?
Be BLESSED, you who are MERCIFUL today!
No comments:
Post a Comment