What does it really mean to be merciful… To show mercy? I think I treat others fairly. I try to "do unto others as I would have them to do unto me"! I take dinners to friends who are having a rough day (sometimes)… I help friends with childcare issues… I even let others pull out in front of me in traffic if I am able! Ahhhh…. BUT. Those same friends have been bringing me dinners when I needed them, helping me with my kids, and I am always so thankful when SOMEONE finally lets me out when I am trying to pull out of the High School at drop off time! Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is something altogether different! Mercy is receiving something that we do not deserve! Forgiving someone who has not earned forgiveness! How many times should we FORGIVE? What if what that person has done the "unforgivable."
In Matthew 18, Peter came to Jesus asking the same question… "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered I tell you, not seven times, but SEVENTY-SEVEN times."
BUT how are we able to do this? How can we possibly have mercy for someone when they have shattered our hopes and dreams? When they have harmed those that we love the most… or when they have stolen that which is most dear to us? HOW can we possibly have mercy? Well that is an easy answer: we can't unless the Holy Spirit intercedes and changes our hearts. The Hebrew word for mercy is "cheesed". The word means more than just sympathizing with another, or feeling sorry for them… even more than simply empathizing with them. It means to get right inside another person and see life through their eyes. To think with their minds. To feel with their feelings. It is taking on all their past experiences and feeling the weight of them as we see the world through their eyes. It is ONLY through the POWER of the Holy Spirit that we can do this. Forgive the unforgivable. Love the Unlovable.
Then, we too will be shown mercy.
