The miracle of Mercy – 25 Jan 2007

How can there be justice and mercy at the same time? Don’t they seem to be opposites?
Too much “justice” and too little mercy is a problem of the human condition. Having mercy requires us to react unnaturally to events we witness. If you are in a position of power to decide someone’s fate – will you show mercy?

Jesus certainly thought mercy was important:

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5: 7 [NIV]

If your nature is to be merciful, how fortunate you are! You will be shown the same mercy by your merciful father. Too often I find myself reacting more like the Pharisees:

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices— mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law— justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former. Matthew 23:23 [NIV]

Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.