Mercy

 

[Jesus said] “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 ESV).

 

You’re bored while standing in line or forced to sit in a doctor’s waiting room. What do you do to amuse yourself? Invariably, many of us turn to people watching to pass the time. Without even realizing it, perhaps, we decide whether those sharing our space, even temporarily, are smart or dumb, interesting or dull, or happy or anxious. We might even start to spin theories about them, knowing nothing about them other than their facial expressions, what they’re doing, and the way they walk or sit. Fleshing out our theories is the additional information we get from the clothes they’re wearing, the jewelry they have on, and even the state of their shoes. On our recent trip to the Smokies I found myself sitting in the Village waiting for Mary to do her shopping and couldn’t resist. After all, there were lots of people to watch.

 

People watching can reveal something about our heart. Sadly, we find it easy to make quick judgments about other people, and our conclusions are almost always negative.

Such an attitude does not fit with the way of life Jesus wants for us. Jesus wants us to treasure mercy as a quality of life under his authority. He wants us to embrace compassion and empathy for people who are broken, hurting, and sinful. He wants us to do what we can to alleviate the needs in our fallen world stemming from hunger, poverty, and racism.

 

True mercy begins when our hearts are stirred by the pain and suffering that taint every corner of our world. When our hearts are hurt with the way things are and we long for the way things are meant to be, we see the world as God sees it. God’s love for a sinful world is what prompted the greatest act of mercy ever. At the cross, God displayed supreme mercy as Jesus willingly took on our punishment so that we could be free from condemnation.

 

God’s mercy to us gives birth to a heart that loves to show mercy to others. The next time you find yourself just watching, think about each of those people the way God does. Look at them from the perspective of fellow pilgrims on their journey in need of the grace of God. Extend to them, at least in your mind and heart, the same grace that has been given to you. That’s the beginning of mercy that brings us mercy in return.