Take It A Step Further
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7
"Mercy comes from mercy. Our mercy to each other comes from God's mercy to us. The key to becoming a merciful person is to become a broken person." -John Piper
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. Luke 10:30-34
Insight
Sitting on my fireplace mantle is a breathtaking picture of the North Carolina mountains near and dear to my heart. I didn't snap the photo, haven't had the opportunity to take in this serene view, and I couldn't tell you the towns it overlooks. But, for me, it serves as a reminder that small acts of mercy can have profound impacts.
Here's a bit of backstory. One drizzly day returning from my lunch break, I noticed a disabled vehicle on the side of the road with an older woman inspecting a flat tire. Most days, I would've driven right past, oblivious to the need or rationalizing in my head why I was too busy to be inconvenienced. However, my better half (aka my wife Jenn) was in the car with me and like always, played the role of compassionate helper. She demanded we stop and see if we could be of any assistance, and being a smart man, I listened to my wife.
After watching numerous cars whiz by, the woman was shocked but thankful that someone came to her aid. I went to work putting on her spare tire while Jenn struck up a conversation. It was evident that the tire wasn't the only thing requiring repair that day. The woman's heart needed restoration after dealing with challenging family issues and circumstances. Jenn listened as she poured out her struggles and concern. They hugged, both being a little teary-eyed. We told her to follow us to our mechanic, who we called to ensure they'd be waiting for her to arrive. Once we knew she was all taken care of, we smiled and waved goodbye, thinking that was the end of the story.
Then, a day later, we heard a knock on our front door. She somehow convinced the mechanic to hand over our address so she could deliver us a gift: the picture. As she handed the frame over to Jenn, she talked about how meaningful that place was to her, how it brought her peace and comfort, and how it reminded her of God's faithfulness. To show her appreciation, she wanted us to have it. We graciously accepted.
Lord, have mercy, did that bring on the waterworks. Why?
Because experiencing mercy will do that to you. She found herself in a circumstance she couldn't get out of - stranded, broken down, and in need, yet, someone saw her dire situation, had empathy, and responded. If that's not a picture of the Gospel and Christ's mercy, I don't know what is.
When you read about the life of Christ contained in the Gospels, a particular phrase sticks out- Jesus SAW. He SAW the crowds. He SAW the hurting and lost. He SAW the unlovable and rejected.
Jesus didn't just recognize a physical need; He perceived something deeper, requiring repair and attention. And, He took it a step further. Jesus showed up when He didn't have to. Like the Good Samaritan who crossed the road, Jesus came to our rescue. He went to the cross and ultimately conquered it, so we would never be stranded again.
I'm often guilty of misunderstanding mercy. I confuse thinking about people's needs and sometimes agonizing, worrying, and getting emotional to mean I am merciful and compassionate. But, we can't mistake feelings for faith. Aching over something and acting on behalf of someone are two vastly different things. One makes us mistakenly feel good, while the other brings hope and healing to those in need.
We love because He first loved us. We show mercy because God showed us mercy. We help those in need because there will come a time when we will be the ones in need. Mercy isn't just something that sees and feels; real mercy takes it a step further and acts.
Reflection
Think of some ways you can show mercy this week. How can these small acts of compassion significantly impact your approach to the circumstances you face?
Prayer
God, I don't want Your words to remain in my head. I desire them to transform my heart, sharpen my focus, direct my steps, and become visible in my actions. May I display the courage and strength necessary to step out of my comfort zone and show mercy. I pray that by doing so, I would point others to You, the One who extended me mercy in unlimited supply. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.