Being merciful
by Carolyn Ehrlich
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Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:36).
Read Luke 6:27–38
I don’t know about you, but I often struggle to differentiate between grace and mercy. Someone helped me with a simple definition. Grace is receiving something that we don’t deserve. Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve. In our text today, Jesus teaches us what mercy looks like in practice – and it is not easy: blessing those who curse us, praying for those who abuse us, turning the other cheek, giving to anyone who begs from us, not demanding that someone return what they have taken from us. The antithesis of seeking revenge and retribution.
What do you do when you see someone begging? Do you give to anyone who begs from you? What if they are asking for something other than money? How do you discern what to do? Just over 10 years ago, I was overseas in a seemingly wealthy country and was surprised at the number of people I witnessed actively begging for money. When I asked my host about what I saw, they told me that begging was often an organised activity in their city, one attributed to people of a particular ethnic group. Beggars were being dropped off at specific points around the city. They would only accept money. Once their allotted begging ‘shift’ was over, they were picked up and driven somewhere else.
Today, I see more begging in Australia than I have previously seen. I have pondered what my response should be. I have seen people I have previously given money buying things that I don’t think are essential. And I find myself judging them. I find myself questioning their motives and assessing who they are. Yet, here, Jesus says, ‘Give to everyone who begs from you’.
Well, I know that I do not consistently give, bless, pray, turn the other cheek, not seek revenge and be merciful. I know that my heart is such that I do not easily give to people who are begging without assessing and judging them. I know that my heart is such that praying for those who hurt me, curse me or steal from me is not my first or even second response. But I also know I most certainly cannot be merciful without the Holy Spirit indwelling and transforming me. I am comforted knowing that when I repent, my merciful Father forgives me. I am comforted knowing that when I invite Jesus into my heart, I invite transformation. I long to be merciful. I am often far from it.
Today, pray with me as King David did in Psalm 139:23,24:
Merciful Father, search me and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there is any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen.
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