Mercy

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9: 11-13

Mercy is defined by the Webster Dictionary as: compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power; also: lenient or compassionate treatment.

I am so thankful that in the pit of my own unforgiveness, I was shown mercy and forgiveness from My Heavenly Father. He brought me out of darkness to show me the light. When reading Matthew 9:11-13, I am challenged to be like Jesus and not like

the Pharisees. The world we live in acts like the Pharisees and everything is based on how they view or interpret the law.

Why do Christians of the world live by the same standard of the world instead of living the ways of Jesus? We are called to show mercy and not judgement. The judgment goes both ways, the unsaved judge the church and many times Christians judge the unchurched. What are we doing to break this thinking?

Jesus showed us mercy at our darkest ugliest times in our lives. Are you showing the same mercy and love to others? It says the sick need a doctor and not the healthy. How are we getting the sick into the church to be healed? We have many people in our community who need to be shown love and mercy so they are able to be healed and forgiven. The Sanctuary of Hope can be that place but we must all commit to showing mercy and love to everyone who walks into the doors. We must also commit to showing forgiveness to our past. If we cling to our past it is very difficult to show mercy to ourselves and others. Also, we must show mercy and love to ALL we come into contact with so they might ask WHY we love them. This is a great way to open the door to discuss the Love of The Lord.

Pastor Kendra Scott