Mercy Comes Back Around

Mercy can be understood in several ways: compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless; forbearance when we have the power to punish; a willingness to spare or help; and even a blessing that comes as an expression of compassion or favor.

Every one of these expressions of mercy was demonstrated by Christ.

As I have been remodeling our house, I’ve thought about what it would feel like to pour my heart, time, money, and craftsmanship into restoring something—only to move away and return years later to find it neglected and falling apart. It would be heartbreaking. I would probably have some strong words for those who had failed to care for the work I had labored over.

That thought helps me understand, in a small way, what it must have been like for Christ to enter this fallen world. Humanity was His creation, yet sin had brought ruin, suffering, ignorance, bondage, and death. He could have come with condemnation and punishment. He had every right to do so.

Instead, Jesus came showing mercy.

He had compassion on the helpless. He extended forgiveness to offenders. He showed patience toward the ignorant. He touched the broken, welcomed sinners, delivered those oppressed by darkness, and offered hope to those who had no hope.

Jesus did not ignore the ruin caused by sin; He entered into it “locked and loaded” with much-needed mercy.

And then He tells us, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Mercy is not merely something we receive from Christ; it is something His mercy teaches us to extend to others. If I want to experience the fullness of God’s mercy, I cannot refuse to show mercy to those who have wronged me, disappointed me, or simply need compassion.

Mercy comes back around—not because we earn God’s grace by being merciful, but because those who have truly received His mercy become people who give it away…leading to a wonderful cycle of blessings that is never-ending. I can’t tell you how many times I have extended mercy to someone and then had mercy extended to me…often out of the blue in a time of need. (God keeps good notes.)

Lord, please help me to walk through this broken world as You did—with compassion, patience, forgiveness, and mercy. Thank you for showing mercy to me in wonderful ways!