Be Merciful // Luke 6:36

Today’s verse encourages Jesus’ followers to be merciful like God. We see Jesus say these words after giving some instructions on how to relate to people, friends and enemies alike. Jesus said to show kindness and mercy to all because that’s exactly what God does, and this is one primary way we can live and love like the Lord. I think it’s important to note the meaning of mercy as it aligns with grace. Grace, for starters, is the love of God that is given to us that we do not deserve nor could ever earn. Mercy is God withholding the punishment and penalties we do deserve and have earned over and over again due to sin. Therefore, since mercy is at the heart of Jesus’ statement in today’s verse, we see we are called to withhold our punishment and/or revenge in exchange for mercy since this is precisely what God does for you and me. Sure sounds hard, doesn’t it? Thankfully, as we see Jesus say elsewhere, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).