Isaiah 1:10–18; 2 Thessalonians 1:1–4, 11–12; Luke 19:1–10
Introduction
Precious one, in our world today, we celebrate strength, success, and self-reliance; below this mark is the uncelebrated, the rejected, and the deemed weak life. Meanwhile, in the divine order for our life, God’s way is different, He delights to celebrate those He has mercifully pardoned and saved, "Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity. And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?" (Micah 7:18). Remember what Jesus said, "In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” (Luke 15:10).
The heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that mercy opens the door to salvation, not merit, not success, not might, not moral or self-perfection, not hard work. Our Sermonette for today will focus on the fact that salvation begins and ends in God’s merciful initiative toward sinners, and that our salvation is sustained by responding to that mercy.
People of God, let us understand that all humanity needs is salvation to come to God our Maker. Listen to Romans 3:23, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." The question is, how do we meet this standard that we all fall short?
Carefully read with me, Romans 3:25-26;
"For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus."
Mercy from the Hebrew: 'ḥesed'; and the Greek: 'eleos.'
Biblically, Mercy means steadfast love, compassion, and absolute forgiveness shown by God toward humanity.
In the Old Testament, 'ḥesed' describes God’s covenant love of loyalty, faithfulness, and graciousness. The writer of Lamentation puts it, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end” (Lam 3:22). In the New Testament, 'eleos' speaks of compassion expressed in action, not just feeling sorry, but doing something to relieve one's suffering.
Jesus tells us to “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36. Mercy is God’s nature.
Mercy is the bridge between God’s holiness and our sinfulness.
Salvation from the Greek is 'sōtēria.'
Salvation means deliverance from sin and its consequences, as well as restoration to communion with God. Salvation is not merely rescue from punishment, but restoration to wholeness, into the original image of God.
In Psalm 27, God is referred to as “the God of my salvation” (Psalm 27:1). Jesus Christ puts it this way, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). The fulfillment of human salvation is found in Jesus Christ.
Salvation, then, is God’s merciful act of bringing the sinner home. Home because that is where we ought to be, in communion with God Almighty.
Let me share with you a story a Pastor told:
Imagine journeying on a lonely road, and you get to a 'Y-junction' and do not know which way to take. And then you see two people, one is alive and the other is dead. Which of them will you ask for directions? Of course, the living one. He is Jesus, the Christ, the living saviour of humanity. All the other religions can lead you to Good works, but salvation is found in no other than Jesus.
Mercy Over Empty Religion
Last week, we had a discussion on "True Religion," and I mentioned that
"True religion involves having a relationship with God, earnestly dueling in His presence, trusting in His divine providence."
God, through Isaiah, in chapter 1 of the book of Isaiah, rebuked a people whose religious rituals are abundant but whose hearts are far from Him. Their delight is in the ritual religious activities rather than having a personal relationship with God. He says, “I am sick of your burnt offerings…Stop bringing me meaningless gifts. When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look... Wash yourselves and be clean!... Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed." (Isa. 1:11,13,15,16,17).
God is showing us that mercy is both divine and human. God’s mercy invites us to repentance (Isa. 1:16-17). Mercy calls us to give up on evil ways and learn to do good. Note this: Our mercy toward others validates our worship before God. Matthew 5:7, when we are merciful, then we obtain mercy; “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool." (Isaiah 1:18).
According to Isaiah, without mercy, religion is hypocrisy. True faith in Christ produces merciful religious deeds.
Mercy Meets Zacchaeus
Generally speaking, in the New Testament era, tax collectors were portrayed negatively as "sinners" and "traitors" because they worked for the Roman government and were often corrupt, making a profit by taking more than what was owed. Zacchaeus, the tax collector, was no different. He was rich and morally bankrupt. The society despised him, meanwhile, Jesus was moved by mercy to tell him, "I must stay at your house today" (Luke 19:5).
Mercy looked up beyond the sins of Zacchaeus and showed up in his house. Mercy dined with him. Through this fellowship, the pathway to salvation was made straight for Zacchaeus, and he humbly took it and said, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (Luke 19:8).
Jesus saw his response to mercy as a way to salvation. Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:9-10).
It must be understood that mercy is the modus operandi of God’s saving plan. The Cross is the ultimate manifestation of mercy pathway to save humanity. The salvation history is emphatically mercy unfolding through time.
Paul commends the Thessalonians for their steadfastness amid trials. He prays that God will make them “worthy of his calling” and “fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power” (2 Thess. 1:11-12). Mercy generates, grows, and empowers our faith in Christ Jesus.
In Christ, mercy does not ignore sin; it heals it. Mercy is not injustice; it is love in action. It restores dignity, reforms hearts, and renews life.
Our social lifestyle has been infested with a judgmental mentality. We are so quick to condemn and pass judgment, very unforgiving even in the Church. The rise of social media has amplified what is known as the "court of public opinion" and has mostly become the judge. It saddens my heart to witness the church of Jesus Christ towing to their path in dealing with children of God at the pleasure of the public. Jesus calls the church to show mercy at all times to make salvation accessible to all.
Showing mercy is about forgiving the unforgivable. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). Mercy is not weakness. It is divine strength expressed through compassion.
Karl Barth once said, “The mercy of God is His readiness to come to the aid of all who are in misery.” When we live mercifully, we become signs of salvation to others. With that, the world sees the very being of Christ in us.
Conclusion
Precious one, mercy is not an optional virtue for us as Christians. It is the very way to our salvation. God’s mercy transforms sinners into saints.
Shalom aleikhem...
