Mercy Changes Everything

I’ve been reflecting a lot on the idea of “mercy” this week. I think it started last week, and the bible stories that are part of my daily bible readings continue to share this theme in the lead up to Easter. Maybe a quick definition is in order. The quick version that helps me keep it straight is “not getting what I deserve.” According to Baker’s Encyclopedia of the Bible, mercy is the essential quality of God that allows Him to keep his promises and maintain his covenant relationship despite the unworthiness and unfaithfulness of his people. Reiterating this theme today was one of the prayers of thanksgiving that guided my devotions:

“Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy, to you be praise and glory forever. In the darkness of our sin, your light breaks forth like the dawn and your healing springs up for deliverance. As we rejoice in the gift of your saving help, sustain us with your bountiful Spirit and open our lips to sing your praise. Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God forever.” (methodistprayer.org)

The story that brought this to my attention for further reflection this week is found in John 8. In the story, we read of Jesus having just returned to the temple courts from time alone with God, and he’s teaching a crowd who has gathered. Some “experts in the law and Pharisees” brought a woman to him who had been “caught in the very act of adultery. (John 8:3-4)” Those familiar with the story have probably contemplated the undignified and utterly humiliating possibilities of this scenario for the woman. Sadly, and shockingly, they did not drag the man involved before Jesus. They accuse her alone according to the law, though specifically the law in Leviticus 20:10 (and/or Deut 22:22-24) that they were likely citing says very clearly that BOTH the man and woman should be put to death. Were they thinking Jesus didn’t know the law?

Jesus kneels down, writes on the ground for a minute, and thinks. Maybe he says a prayer, though something about verse 1 stating he had just come back from the Mount of Olives (morning prayer?) suggests he might have been prepared for this. Either way, imagine watching all this play out. Imagine the tense moments, the humiliation of the woman, the anger of the experts. Was the man involved peering in from the background somewhere? The accusers kept pressing, hoping to trap him. Then, he stood up and spoke.

“ Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her. (John 8:7, NET)” Then he knelt down again. Wisdom personified caught everyone off-guard, and everyone was left speechless. You can feel the tension slowly decrease. The story relayed to us describes the accusers slinking away one by one. Even the crowd dispersed. The only ones left were Jesus and this scared, humiliated woman. Then Jesus absolves her of her sin, let’s her go, and tells her to not sin anymore.

What would your response be? Man or woman, if you’re moments away from death, knowing you broke the law, surrounded by people who simply want to make a point and don’t care about you, and all of sudden you find one person who sees you, knows you, has mercy on you and saves your life. I can only imagine her life was changed forever. As were the lives of everyone involved. Some embraced the compassion of Jesus. Other’s were simply infuriated and looked all the more intently for a way to make him look bad and bring him down. Jesus never wavered. Extending mercy was the right thing to do.

For many of us, we like routine, and we count on what we can objectively connect with. Morality, rules, right and wrong ways to do church, to parent, to connect via social media, to weather an extreme pandemic; all of us get stuck in some fashion on things that matter to us. When situations change, we are often forced to confront those realities. And we have a choice? Do I hold onto what I know and stand firm? Or do I assess the situation and extend mercy. Do I offer compassion, or extend justice? Is there a right or wrong with these options?

I suggest there is a right and wrong in this story. The right thing isn’t always governed by the law, or what we know to be “right”. The right thing is governed by a heart motivated by love. Can you imagine any scenario where Jesus would agree with the “experts?” What moves us about this passage is that Jesus went against the law, and the prevailing opinion, and extended mercy. The woman was guilty, but that isn’t what Jesus focused on. Jesus sided with this woman in her weakness and humiliation. He spared her life. He elevated her status by having compassion for her.

Everything is changing all around us. Now is just a good time to remind ourselves that God’s mercy, on display through Jesus Christ, looked deeper than the law, into the soul, and offered love. As we look around our neighborhoods, within our families, and even beyond, to our governments and institutions, are we motivated by a heart of love and filled with compassion? Are we lifting all of this in earnest prayer? Are we pressing into God and extending love in ways that will cause others to have a life-transformation through this crisis? Even if it goes against the expected norms, the traditions, and the “normal” ways of doing things?

No matter what comes in the next few weeks, God is with us. He sees us, and his love will guide us. Let’s all pray that our lives reflect the mercy of God as we have both received it, and seen it on display in other people’s lives. Let’s ask the Lord to fill our hearts with deep, heartfelt compassion for those who are struggling, and for a willingness to live into things that are different, awkward, and contrary to what we have known. Let’s assess our situations at the moment, and ask the Lord for wisdom in how to be compassionate and merciful.

Where do you find yourself extending mercy these days? Where have you seen mercy on display?

I am praying with and for each of you.

Pastor Scott