Many people remember a Russian couple, the Rosenbergs, who were tried in court for treason against the United States. The trial was a long and bitter one. As the final sentence was pronounced, the lawyer for the Rosenbergs cried out, "Your Honor, what my clients ask for is justice!"
Judge Kaufman replied, "What the court has given them is what they ask, justice! What they really want is mercy. But mercy is something this court has no right to give them."
The One who has the right to give mercy is God.
Mercy is so important that God instructs us to bind it around our necks and write it upon the tablet of our hearts (Prov. 3:3). In Matthew 23:23, Jesus says that mercy is one of the weightier matters of the law, and that it takes precedence over many other things."The word mercy has the same root as the ancient Greek word for oil, or more precisely, olive oil; which in ancient times was used extensively as a soothing agent for bruises and minor wounds. The oil was poured onto the wound and gently massaged in, thus soothing, comforting the injured part. The Greek words for 'Lord, have mercy,' are 'Kyrie, eleison' that is to say, 'Lord, soothe me, comfort me, take away my pain, show me your steadfast love.' In Hebrew the translation for mercy is similar and also means steadfast love. Thus mercy does not refer so much to justice or acquittal in our Western interpretation but to the infinite loving-kindness of God, and his compassion for his suffering children.
One of the most beautiful stories of God's mercy is the prodigal son. A son, after leaving home with his inheiritance, wastes all of it on high living. After hitting rock bottom, he ends up living with pigs and remembers his father. Humbled and willing to be a common servant in his fathers house he returns home. To his surprise, his father has been watching out for him to come back and runs to meet him, embracing him. He is clothed with his father’s best robe to wear to the feast his father prepares to celebrate his return. That is God's mercy.
The prodigal was going to his dad to ask for mercy, he had already been given what he deserved and squandered it. Like him our only cry should be "Lord, be merciful." Several years ago a song based on what I have heard is a true story became quite popular. "Three teenagers boarded a bus in New Jersey. Seated on the bus was a quiet, poorly dressed man who sat alone and silent. When the bus made its first stop, everybody got off except this one man, who remained alone and aloof. When the kids came back on the bus, one of them said something nice to him and he smiled shyly. At the next bus stop, as everybody got off, the last teenager turned and said to the man, "Come on. Get off with us. At least stretch your legs." So he got off. The teenagers invited him to have lunch with them. One of the teenager said, "We are going to Florida for a weekend in the sun. It is nice in Florida, they say." He said, "Yes it is." "Have you been there?" "Oh, yes," he said, "I used to live there." One said, "Well do you still have a home and family?" He hesitated. "I-I don't know he said, finally. "What do you mean, you don't know?" the teenager persisted. Caught up by their warmth and sincerity, he shared this story with them: "Many years ago, I was sentenced to Federal prison. I had a beautiful wife and wonderful children. I said to her, 'Honey, don't write to me. I won't write to you. The kids should not know their dad is in prison. If you want to, go ahead and find another man - somebody who will be a good father to those boys.' "I do not know if she kept her part of the bargain. I kept mine. Last week when I knew for sure I was getting out, I wrote a letter to our old address; its just outside of Jacksonville. I said to her, 'If you are still living there and get this letter, if you haven't found any one else, and if there is a chance of you taking me back - here is how you can let me know. I will be on the bus as it comes through town. I want you to take a piece of white cloth and hang it in the old oak tree right outside of town." When they got back on the bus and were getting a few miles from Jacksonville, all the teenagers moved to the man's side of the bus and pressed their faces against the windows. Just as they came to the outskirts of Jacksonville there was the old oak tree. The teenagers let out a yell and they jumped out of their seats. They hugged each other and danced in the center of the aisle. All they said was, "Look at it! Look at it!" Not a single white cloth was tied to the tree. Instead there was a white bed sheet, a white dress, a little boy's white trousers, and white pillow cases! The whole tree was covered with dozens of pieces of white cloth!
What an illustration of God's mercy - how God treats you and me - undeserving as we are! If you recall the song they changed the white cloth to yellow ribbons.
Like the man the story was about, we do not deserve God's mercy and His tender loving kindness, but He offers it to us anyway.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the author of the The Cost of Discipleship and twentieth century martyr wrote that, “ If anyone, Jesus knew that mercy is not always extended to the merciful among the children of men. Jesus went about doing good, mercy directed his every act during his ministry. Blind received their sight, tormented received their sanity, lepers were cleansed, deaf would hear, dumb would talk, dead would walk. As a result Jesus had more enemies than anyone else. He invoked more feelings opposite of mercy than most people ever did. And so did his apostles after him, and his prophets before him. In order that they might be merciful, they cast away the most priceless treasure of human life, their personal dignity and honor for their Lord's own mercy, to which alone they owed their very lives.
We cannot pray for mercy to be extended to us without being willing to give mercy to others and that is the point of Jesus's parable about the two debtors (Matt. 18:23-35 23 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24One owed him ten thousand talents, but was not able to pay, his master commanded that he, his wife, children and possesions be sold, so that the payment was made. 26 The servant begged for patience, moving the master of that servant with compassion. The King released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he grabbed him around the neck, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 The fellow servant fell down, begging,‘have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’[b] 30 But he would not, threw him into prison until the debt was paid. 31 When the other servants saw what had been done, they were upset, telling their master all that had happened. 32 Then his master, called him in saying,‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you, if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”[c]
As humans we usually want justice for everyone else but ourselves. Human justice can be quite brutal. Mercy offers more than judgment- it is connected to grace, forgiving and hope.Mercy offers another chance and a fresh start. Which reflects heaven the best. The mercy we ask for is the mercy we must give to others. Lord, have mercy and help us to be merciful.
Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan? There was a man who was mugged – thrown to the side of the road. Two guys walked by and said, “I can’t get involved. I’m sorry about what has happened – but I just can’t get involved. I have other things to take care of. I’m too busy to help anyone right now.” A third man comes along – he was busy too – yet he took action. He picked up the man – took him to the Holiday Inn – left his American Express Gold Card to pay for the bill – said, “I’ll return later to see how things are going. When I come back – I’ll pay for it all!” This man showed mercy, and yet he was considered among the lowest of his society, a Samaritan. Those who are to show mercy are not to do so begrudgingly with a negative or sour countenance, but must do so “cheerfully.” The purpose of the gift of showing mercy is not to make the afflicted feel sad or to cause them to think they owe some type of debt; but rather, to raise their spirits, to bring joy to the heart and a smile to the face. “This spares the feelings and soothes the sorrows of the afflicted.” Calvin writes: “For as nothing gives more solace to the sick or to any one otherwise distressed, than to see men cheerful and prompt in assisting them; so to observe sadness in the countenance of those by whom assistance is given makes them to feel themselves despised.”
.Dr. Kevin Kikta, wrote recently about his experience as one of two emergency room doctors who were on duty at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, MO on Sunday, May 22, 2011. Maybe you remember that fateful day for the city of Joplin.
He relates: You never know that it will be the most important day of your life until the day is over. The day started like any other day for me: waking up, eating, going to the gym, showering, and going to my 4:00 pm ER shift. As I drove to the hospital I mentally prepared for my shift as I always do, but nothing could ever have prepared me for what was going to happen on this shift. Things were normal for the first hour and half. At approximately 5:30 pm we received a warning that a tornado had been spotted. Although I work in Joplin and went to medical school in Oklahoma, I ‘m from New Jersey, and I have never seen or been in a tornado. I learned that a “code gray” was being called. We were to start bringing patients to safer spots within the ED and hospital. We didn’t have time. The hospital took a direct hit from a category EF5 tornado.The whole process took about 45 seconds, but seemed like eternity. Tragedy has a way of revealing human mercy. As I worked in the ruined hospital, surrounded by devastation and suffering, I realized I was not alone. The people of the community of Joplin were absolutely incredible. Within minutes of the horrific event, local residents showed up in pickups and sport utility vehicles, all offering to help transport the wounded to other facilities, including Freeman, the trauma center literally across the street. Ironically, it had sustained only minimal damage and was functioning (although I’m sure overwhelmed). I carried on, grateful for the help of the community. Later there were groups of individuals who traveled to Joplin to assist in the clean up and rebuilding of that area.
Later that month my husband and I met a man named Mark, who was collecting supplies, cash, and to join a group of men from the Erie area to help with Joplin’s tornado relief. He had no family or friends in the State of Missouri but was moved when he saw the devastation on his television screen. Using his vacation time, some of his savings and whatever cash he could gather in donations and supplies for the twelve hundred mile round trip, he left his family for two weeks, to do whatever he could to help. Blessed are the merciful, Jesus says, for they will be shown mercy. Mark knows he is blessed and is a blessing to others. Every time we love others deeply, we feel their pain deeply. However, joy is hidden in the pain. When we share the pain we also will share the joy.
If our measure is fairness, if all we think about is who is getting their just desserts, we will lose touch with the grace that is everywhere and the God who pours forgiveness and generosity on us. When life is reduced to “you get what you deserve,” hearts contract and compassion and kindness dry up. Knowing that we are receivers of mercy and goodness beyond measure is what opens our hearts and hands to each other. Had it not been for a lovely young lady, Robert Robinson would not have known fully the depths of the mercy he had written about. In 1757, At the age of twenty-three, Robert Robinson, who had come to know Christ’s salvation through George Whitfield’s ministry in England, wrote the hymn Come, Thou Fount.
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
But Robert wandered far from those streams like the Prodigal Son, until one day as he was traveling by stagecoach. He found himself sitting beside a young woman engrossed in reading her book. When she ran across a verse she thought was beautiful, she asked him what he thought of it.
Prone to wander— Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love.
Bursting into tears, Robinson said, "Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then." Although greatly surprised, she reassured him that the "streams of mercy" mentioned in his song still flowed. Mr. Robinson was deeply touched and was able to turn his "wandering heart" back to the Lord.
God's streams of mercy still flow in the jagged places and unlikely meetings with friends and strangers in our own lives. In the tragedies and experiences that hit us and block all else, God is somehow still near and giving as we live out our lives before a God who will feed us in times of famine or feast and provide in sickness and in health. In 2011, songs of mercy are still sung. Matt Mahler, contemporary Christian artist, is one of many who sings about God’s mercy on the radio. He sings, “If you're scared that you don't matter
If you're lost and need to be found, If you're looking for a Savior, All you gotta do is turn around”. Today Jesus is saying that at the bottom of everything is a boundless generosity from our Heavenly Father. No matter what we face, every one of us here has hit the lottery jackpot as receivers of astonishing grace and streams of mercy. Our God lifts us up from the daily grind of and shows us the realm of the possible, even miraculous, when we turn around and receive His gift then pass it on to others. Let us in Jesus’ name, sing the songs of mercy we have found.
Judge Kaufman replied, "What the court has given them is what they ask, justice! What they really want is mercy. But mercy is something this court has no right to give them."
The One who has the right to give mercy is God.
Mercy is so important that God instructs us to bind it around our necks and write it upon the tablet of our hearts (Prov. 3:3). In Matthew 23:23, Jesus says that mercy is one of the weightier matters of the law, and that it takes precedence over many other things."The word mercy has the same root as the ancient Greek word for oil, or more precisely, olive oil; which in ancient times was used extensively as a soothing agent for bruises and minor wounds. The oil was poured onto the wound and gently massaged in, thus soothing, comforting the injured part. The Greek words for 'Lord, have mercy,' are 'Kyrie, eleison' that is to say, 'Lord, soothe me, comfort me, take away my pain, show me your steadfast love.' In Hebrew the translation for mercy is similar and also means steadfast love. Thus mercy does not refer so much to justice or acquittal in our Western interpretation but to the infinite loving-kindness of God, and his compassion for his suffering children.
One of the most beautiful stories of God's mercy is the prodigal son. A son, after leaving home with his inheiritance, wastes all of it on high living. After hitting rock bottom, he ends up living with pigs and remembers his father. Humbled and willing to be a common servant in his fathers house he returns home. To his surprise, his father has been watching out for him to come back and runs to meet him, embracing him. He is clothed with his father’s best robe to wear to the feast his father prepares to celebrate his return. That is God's mercy.
The prodigal was going to his dad to ask for mercy, he had already been given what he deserved and squandered it. Like him our only cry should be "Lord, be merciful." Several years ago a song based on what I have heard is a true story became quite popular. "Three teenagers boarded a bus in New Jersey. Seated on the bus was a quiet, poorly dressed man who sat alone and silent. When the bus made its first stop, everybody got off except this one man, who remained alone and aloof. When the kids came back on the bus, one of them said something nice to him and he smiled shyly. At the next bus stop, as everybody got off, the last teenager turned and said to the man, "Come on. Get off with us. At least stretch your legs." So he got off. The teenagers invited him to have lunch with them. One of the teenager said, "We are going to Florida for a weekend in the sun. It is nice in Florida, they say." He said, "Yes it is." "Have you been there?" "Oh, yes," he said, "I used to live there." One said, "Well do you still have a home and family?" He hesitated. "I-I don't know he said, finally. "What do you mean, you don't know?" the teenager persisted. Caught up by their warmth and sincerity, he shared this story with them: "Many years ago, I was sentenced to Federal prison. I had a beautiful wife and wonderful children. I said to her, 'Honey, don't write to me. I won't write to you. The kids should not know their dad is in prison. If you want to, go ahead and find another man - somebody who will be a good father to those boys.' "I do not know if she kept her part of the bargain. I kept mine. Last week when I knew for sure I was getting out, I wrote a letter to our old address; its just outside of Jacksonville. I said to her, 'If you are still living there and get this letter, if you haven't found any one else, and if there is a chance of you taking me back - here is how you can let me know. I will be on the bus as it comes through town. I want you to take a piece of white cloth and hang it in the old oak tree right outside of town." When they got back on the bus and were getting a few miles from Jacksonville, all the teenagers moved to the man's side of the bus and pressed their faces against the windows. Just as they came to the outskirts of Jacksonville there was the old oak tree. The teenagers let out a yell and they jumped out of their seats. They hugged each other and danced in the center of the aisle. All they said was, "Look at it! Look at it!" Not a single white cloth was tied to the tree. Instead there was a white bed sheet, a white dress, a little boy's white trousers, and white pillow cases! The whole tree was covered with dozens of pieces of white cloth!
What an illustration of God's mercy - how God treats you and me - undeserving as we are! If you recall the song they changed the white cloth to yellow ribbons.
Like the man the story was about, we do not deserve God's mercy and His tender loving kindness, but He offers it to us anyway.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the author of the The Cost of Discipleship and twentieth century martyr wrote that, “ If anyone, Jesus knew that mercy is not always extended to the merciful among the children of men. Jesus went about doing good, mercy directed his every act during his ministry. Blind received their sight, tormented received their sanity, lepers were cleansed, deaf would hear, dumb would talk, dead would walk. As a result Jesus had more enemies than anyone else. He invoked more feelings opposite of mercy than most people ever did. And so did his apostles after him, and his prophets before him. In order that they might be merciful, they cast away the most priceless treasure of human life, their personal dignity and honor for their Lord's own mercy, to which alone they owed their very lives.
We cannot pray for mercy to be extended to us without being willing to give mercy to others and that is the point of Jesus's parable about the two debtors (Matt. 18:23-35 23 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24One owed him ten thousand talents, but was not able to pay, his master commanded that he, his wife, children and possesions be sold, so that the payment was made. 26 The servant begged for patience, moving the master of that servant with compassion. The King released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he grabbed him around the neck, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 The fellow servant fell down, begging,‘have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’[b] 30 But he would not, threw him into prison until the debt was paid. 31 When the other servants saw what had been done, they were upset, telling their master all that had happened. 32 Then his master, called him in saying,‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you, if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”[c]
As humans we usually want justice for everyone else but ourselves. Human justice can be quite brutal. Mercy offers more than judgment- it is connected to grace, forgiving and hope.Mercy offers another chance and a fresh start. Which reflects heaven the best. The mercy we ask for is the mercy we must give to others. Lord, have mercy and help us to be merciful.
Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan? There was a man who was mugged – thrown to the side of the road. Two guys walked by and said, “I can’t get involved. I’m sorry about what has happened – but I just can’t get involved. I have other things to take care of. I’m too busy to help anyone right now.” A third man comes along – he was busy too – yet he took action. He picked up the man – took him to the Holiday Inn – left his American Express Gold Card to pay for the bill – said, “I’ll return later to see how things are going. When I come back – I’ll pay for it all!” This man showed mercy, and yet he was considered among the lowest of his society, a Samaritan. Those who are to show mercy are not to do so begrudgingly with a negative or sour countenance, but must do so “cheerfully.” The purpose of the gift of showing mercy is not to make the afflicted feel sad or to cause them to think they owe some type of debt; but rather, to raise their spirits, to bring joy to the heart and a smile to the face. “This spares the feelings and soothes the sorrows of the afflicted.” Calvin writes: “For as nothing gives more solace to the sick or to any one otherwise distressed, than to see men cheerful and prompt in assisting them; so to observe sadness in the countenance of those by whom assistance is given makes them to feel themselves despised.”
.Dr. Kevin Kikta, wrote recently about his experience as one of two emergency room doctors who were on duty at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, MO on Sunday, May 22, 2011. Maybe you remember that fateful day for the city of Joplin.
He relates: You never know that it will be the most important day of your life until the day is over. The day started like any other day for me: waking up, eating, going to the gym, showering, and going to my 4:00 pm ER shift. As I drove to the hospital I mentally prepared for my shift as I always do, but nothing could ever have prepared me for what was going to happen on this shift. Things were normal for the first hour and half. At approximately 5:30 pm we received a warning that a tornado had been spotted. Although I work in Joplin and went to medical school in Oklahoma, I ‘m from New Jersey, and I have never seen or been in a tornado. I learned that a “code gray” was being called. We were to start bringing patients to safer spots within the ED and hospital. We didn’t have time. The hospital took a direct hit from a category EF5 tornado.The whole process took about 45 seconds, but seemed like eternity. Tragedy has a way of revealing human mercy. As I worked in the ruined hospital, surrounded by devastation and suffering, I realized I was not alone. The people of the community of Joplin were absolutely incredible. Within minutes of the horrific event, local residents showed up in pickups and sport utility vehicles, all offering to help transport the wounded to other facilities, including Freeman, the trauma center literally across the street. Ironically, it had sustained only minimal damage and was functioning (although I’m sure overwhelmed). I carried on, grateful for the help of the community. Later there were groups of individuals who traveled to Joplin to assist in the clean up and rebuilding of that area.
Later that month my husband and I met a man named Mark, who was collecting supplies, cash, and to join a group of men from the Erie area to help with Joplin’s tornado relief. He had no family or friends in the State of Missouri but was moved when he saw the devastation on his television screen. Using his vacation time, some of his savings and whatever cash he could gather in donations and supplies for the twelve hundred mile round trip, he left his family for two weeks, to do whatever he could to help. Blessed are the merciful, Jesus says, for they will be shown mercy. Mark knows he is blessed and is a blessing to others. Every time we love others deeply, we feel their pain deeply. However, joy is hidden in the pain. When we share the pain we also will share the joy.
If our measure is fairness, if all we think about is who is getting their just desserts, we will lose touch with the grace that is everywhere and the God who pours forgiveness and generosity on us. When life is reduced to “you get what you deserve,” hearts contract and compassion and kindness dry up. Knowing that we are receivers of mercy and goodness beyond measure is what opens our hearts and hands to each other. Had it not been for a lovely young lady, Robert Robinson would not have known fully the depths of the mercy he had written about. In 1757, At the age of twenty-three, Robert Robinson, who had come to know Christ’s salvation through George Whitfield’s ministry in England, wrote the hymn Come, Thou Fount.
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
But Robert wandered far from those streams like the Prodigal Son, until one day as he was traveling by stagecoach. He found himself sitting beside a young woman engrossed in reading her book. When she ran across a verse she thought was beautiful, she asked him what he thought of it.
Prone to wander— Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love.
Bursting into tears, Robinson said, "Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then." Although greatly surprised, she reassured him that the "streams of mercy" mentioned in his song still flowed. Mr. Robinson was deeply touched and was able to turn his "wandering heart" back to the Lord.
God's streams of mercy still flow in the jagged places and unlikely meetings with friends and strangers in our own lives. In the tragedies and experiences that hit us and block all else, God is somehow still near and giving as we live out our lives before a God who will feed us in times of famine or feast and provide in sickness and in health. In 2011, songs of mercy are still sung. Matt Mahler, contemporary Christian artist, is one of many who sings about God’s mercy on the radio. He sings, “If you're scared that you don't matter
If you're lost and need to be found, If you're looking for a Savior, All you gotta do is turn around”. Today Jesus is saying that at the bottom of everything is a boundless generosity from our Heavenly Father. No matter what we face, every one of us here has hit the lottery jackpot as receivers of astonishing grace and streams of mercy. Our God lifts us up from the daily grind of and shows us the realm of the possible, even miraculous, when we turn around and receive His gift then pass it on to others. Let us in Jesus’ name, sing the songs of mercy we have found.
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