THE NEED FOR MERCY
THE NEED FOR MERCY
What does it mean to be merciful as the Lord is merciful? It first means that our hearts will be touched by the needs of others. People begged Jesus, “Have mercy on us” (Matthew 9:27), and He did. It is frequently said that He was moved by compassion (Matthew 9:36; 14:14). Even so, you and I are commanded to “put on a heart of compassion” (Colossians 3:12).
One of Ralph Bumpus’ favourite stories was about a man who had experienced bad times. He applied for a loan with a banker who was renowned for his aversion to loaning money to anyone who actually needed it. After listening to the man’s sad tale, the banker said, “I’m a good man , so let me make you a proposition. I just spent a great deal of money for an artificial eye. It looks exactly like my real eye. Here, then, is my proposition: If you can tell me which eye is the artificial eye, I’ll loan you the money.” The man studied the banker’s eyes for some time. Finally, he said, “The left eye is the artificial eye.” The banker said, “Are you sure?” The man said, “I am certain.” The banker was astonished. “You are correct,” he said, “but how could you tell that the left eye is the artificial eye?” “Because,” the man replied, “in your left eye, I saw a tiny spark of compassion. ”When people look into our eyes, can they see genuine compassion?
Like Jesus, we need to sympathize with the weaknesses of others (Hebrews 4:15). We need hearts that are touched by the needs of others. We also need hands that reach out to help. Remember, it is not real mercy until both the heart and the hands are involved. If we see brothers or sisters “without clothing and in need of daily food,” it is not enough to feel sorry for them. We need to “give them what is necessary for their body” (James 2:15, 16). How important it is, therefore, for each of us to evaluate ourselves! Let us ask, “Am I merciful, or am I so focused on my own needs and problems that I am not concerned about others?”
In Hosea 6:6 the Lord said, “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6 twice in the New Testament, and each time He challenged His listeners to learn what the words mean (Matthew 9:13; 12:7). Does God want sacrifice? Yes, but sacrifice without mercy is worthless. At the risk of being misunderstood, let me say that being baptized and partaking of the Lord’s Supper are important, even essential—but if there is no compassion or mercy in our hearts, our outward compliance with God’s will is little more than an empty gesture (1 Corinthians 13:1–3).
The English word “merciful” means “full of mercy.” An old man was asked if he was a Christian. He replied, “In spots.” We are not to be merciful just “in spots.” Being “merciful” does not refer to an occasional, isolated act of kindness. Rather, it refers to a lifestyle of caring and helping. May God help us not to be selfcentered, but to be “full of mercy” towards others.
Word Affirmation: “ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." - Genesis 1:28 (Don't just say it, mean it!)
“ We need hearts that are touched by the needs of others. "
MIND THIS
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