Mercy
Matthew 9:18-26 While
he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter
has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus
got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. 20 Just then a woman who
had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched
the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I
will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your
faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment. 23 When Jesus
entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, 24 he
said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25
After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand,
and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
HERE is mercy—offering someone an undeserved favor. We are
merciful, for example, to offer dinner to a constantly naughty child. Certainly
the ruler who sought Jesus for his innocent daughter and the woman who touched
Jesus for her healing were faithful people. But in the context of their human
sin against Jesus’ holiness, they were unworthy of Jesus’ mercy to heal disease
and destroy death.
Those who mocked
Jesus reflect our sin-laden heart. The human race is as a naughty child—consistently
disobedient to our Father in Heaven. We silently mock Jesus when we hear his
teachings, demanding our desires. Instead, we are to confess our need for
mercy, and welcome Jesus into our home.
LIFE Link: The Lord
has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. (Psalms 6:9)
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