Show That Mercy
By: Liya Abramova
Be merciful, Jesus says. Those are not simple words you get to put aside for the convenient times. Mercy is not convenient. It is drastic, revolutionary, and radical. Mercy is unfair. Think on that for a moment.
So much of Jesus’ words in Luke 6 can be condensed to simply “be merciful.” Be merciful to your enemies, love them, do not judge, give to those who ask. Jesus does not leave it at that, He gives reasons. First, because “by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Second, because “your Father is merciful” –and surely we should be imitating our Father. Finally, Jesus says, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”—we have no choice, if we are to call Him ‘Lord’.
You’ll have a chance to practice this soon, I’m sure. Someone will forget to do what they’ve said; someone will keep you waiting, or ask you for something that really ought to be their job. Look at it as an opportunity to demonstrate mercy, as God has done for you.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36)