LOVING MERCIES
A famous anthropologist was asked what was the first sign of human civilization. Surprisingly the reply was not the discovery of ancient pottery or artwork on a cave wall. The reply stated, ‘If a wild animal is injured, such as a broken leg, it cannot hunt for food, go to the river for water or run from danger. It means the animal will probably die. A once broken, but healed, human thigh bone was discovered Someone stayed to safely assist the healing and through the recovery. This was the earliest sign of human civilization.”
Wherever we live, not far from us, is someone who is hungry or thirsty, homeless, without adequate clothing, sick or in prison. In the United States, for example, 12% of the population, approximately 41 million people, are hungry. Worldwide the number is 345 million. Will we show mercy, and how? How do we respond so that we don’t walk away only thinking ”I better get busy showing mercy to the helpless or I won’t make it to Heaven.” Such a response does not make you righteous and would miss Jesus’ point completely. Heaven is for the acts of those already righteous by grace through their faith in Jesus Christ. Their faith shows itself in acts of mercy.. Helpless as we are to save ourselves, in mercy God has saved us. Through the goodness and loving kindness of God, our savior has saved us. Not because of our works but according to His own mercy.
Loving mercy is the heart of the Christian faith. This is more than just loving the concept of mercy. It is a love for showing mercy, by actually doing mercy. God expects us to help those who cannot help themselves and to love doing it. Acts of mercy become measures of faith. The love of mercy to feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, welcome the homeless, clothe the naked and care for the sick. We cheapen God’s mercy toward us when we fail to show mercy toward others. What it takes is Christian faith that loves mercy, as Christ loves mercy.
Jesus first came among us disguised and hidden. To many, he was just another rabbi. He could be found with the hungry, the sick, the poor, the grieving and little children. He was homeless, without a place to rest His head. The disciples were surprised to hear Jesus say He received their mercy when they fed the hungry and thirsty, welcomed the strangers and cared for the sick. ”When did we ever see you in need and show you mercy?” Jesus answered ”He was there, you did for me.” Jesus wants us to know He comes hidden in the next person who needs our mercy. We expect to see Him in church, but not in the body of a hungry child, or on a mom trying to clothe her kids, or the 92 year old alone and a bad heart. ”When you fail to show mercy to these, you fail to show mercy to Me.
When Jesus comes into our hearts, He brings along with Him all the hurting people of the world. Faith becomes empty without the works of mercy. The lack of mercy reveals a lack of faith in Jesus. Through faith and the work of the Spirit we become more like Christ. We show more mercy to the helpless. By grace, we see the next face waiting for mercy. The inheritance of faith is confirmed; we are our best when we help others.
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