Mercy Triumphs

According to the dictionary, mercy is “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” 

When was the last time you made a mistake and hoped that you would be shown mercy? Maybe it was words said in haste or an overreaction to a situation. We have all been there, done that. We are human. We are not perfect.

When was the last time someone said something in haste to you or overreacted to a situation and needed to be shown some mercy? Were you able to be merciful? It isn’t easy. It is the example set by Christ.

The Sermon on the Mount is a favorite of mine. It contains so much instruction for life in just a couple of chapters, starting with the beatitudes.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

Showing mercy isn’t the norm. Instead it seems that most people are intent on getting back at those who have hurt them. I get it. When someone hurts me, it is hard to not want them to feel pain too. But Christ calls us to be different, to do the unexpected. To show mercy even when we feel it may not be warranted.

Our daughter has been an incredible example to me the last few years of someone who can show mercy. After the death of our son, she had some unkind things, very hurtful things said to her. When she shared with us what was said to her, I was crushed. How could someone be so cruel to her when she was hurting so deeply? I asked her to tell me who had said this to her. I was ready to drive to this person’s house and use my words to hurt them the way they had hurt my daughter. She wouldn’t. She said, “Mom, I knew they couldn’t have meant what they said. They didn’t realize how their words hurt. I chose to forget who said it.” 

Wow! What do you say to that wisdom?

“Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13

Talk about letting mercy triumph. During the darkest, most difficult days of her life, our sweet daughter, at the age of 14, chose mercy over judgment. 

Christ showed the ultimate mercy towards us when He died on the cross. He didn’t have to. He could have condemned us. It was well within His right and power to do. He chose mercy and suffered intense pain dying on the cross. For you, for me, for that person whose words have cut you to the core. 

Maybe, starting today, we can choose to believe that we misinterpreted someone’s tone. Maybe we can choose to believe that they just didn’t think through their words before they came out. Maybe we can choose to believe that others really are doing the best they can, and we can grant mercy instead of judgment.

Will it be easy? No. Will you be blessed for it? Without a doubt. 

Blessed are the merciful.