Mercy Given & Received!
"Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy."
Matthew 5: 7
The phrase “an eye for an eye” is often heard in cultural
conversation where retaliation is justified. The
phrase is
biblical, found in Exodus 21:22-25—but its purpose was
not to justify retaliation but to limit it.
In other words, punishment was to be limited to what
was appropriate in light of the damages incurred. But
in Jesus’ day, the Exodus standard was being
used
to justify retaliation instead of forgiveness.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus raised the standard
responding to those who injured us. Instead of retaliating
with vengeance, Jesus said we forgive those who have
harmed us. Yes, wrongdoing deserves a response.
Scripture teaches that we leave judgment to God
and our response
be one of mercy and forgiveness.
The best way to mercy is withhold punishment that
is deserved. Jesus said the merciful will be blessed
by receiving mercy themselves.
Look for opportunity to show mercy toward
someone who may not deserve
it, the same
mercy God shows toward us by forgiving
our
sins.
"I have always found that mercy
bears richer fruits than strict
justice."
Abraham Lincoln
