The Bible teaches us that human sin and guilt have certain inevitable consequences:  pain, misery, distress, etc.  The presence of pain, misery, and distress in this world offers us ample opportunity to demonstrate the beauty of mercy.

But that’s not our natural inclination in the face of pain, misery, and distress.

Our tendency is rather to insulate ourselves against all of the trials and tribulations of other people (see Luke 10.30–32).  Our tendency is to find revenge delicious when we feel that someone has wronged us (see 1 Samuel 25).  We kind of cheer when someone says to the bad guy, “May God have mercy on your soul, because I sure as *#$@ won’t.”

But consider the mercy of King Jesus.  How often do we see him healing, helping, extending relief to the miserable, the sick, and the outcast?  And do you remember what he prayed about those men who were hammering him to the tree?  (See Luke 23.34.) The angels themselves must have looked at one another in utter astonishment… “Did you hear what he just said?”

King Jesus shows mercy.  And the faithful citizens of his kingdom must follow him here too, for the king has decreed:  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5.7).

That is the king’s command.  Those who show mercy find it.

Those who pretend to live under the banner of the king but aren’t showing mercy may one day find that they’ve been climbing a ladder that’s been leaning against the wrong wall (see Matthew 18.21–35).

Rest in the mercy of Jesus.  It’ll grow on you.

The picture used above is of the USNS Mercy anchored off the coast of Jolo City, Philippines, in June 2006. The Mercy’s staff assisted thousands of local citizens with medical and dental care. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer’s Mate Edward G. Martens.