Lord of Mercy

Matthew 12:8-10 “For the Son of Man is LORD of the Sabbath.” 9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

IN verse 8, Jesus concluded his response to the Pharisees' accusation: “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:2) Jesus plainly told them he has authority over the Sabbath. By calling himself “Lord of the Sabbath,” Jesus revealed that God's Sabbath was designed to bless people, not burden them. The Lord of the Sabbath is also the Lord of mercy.

Jesus urged the people to understand the Sabbath is a day of renewal, not a day of judgment. The Son of God had spoken. The matter should have been settled. Now Jesus could heal on the Sabbath without recrimination!

But it was not to be. Too often God’s teachings do not dwell in one’s heart. When Jesus traveled to a new place, Matthew reports a repetition of the same misunderstanding: “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” We’ll consider Jesus’ answer in the next lesson, but first we focus on Jesus’ mercy.

What is mercy? This should help: Mercy is a virtue which moves our hearts to have compassion for people who need help.

Jesus, of course, is the ultimate example of mercy. He came to earth because the Father had compassion on us and wanted us to know that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Matthew 12:1-8 tells of Jesus’ compassion to care for his hungry disciples. That care actually began about 1,000 years earlier when the LORD’s merciful law allowed hungry travelers and widows to pick just enough grain to ease their hunger.

In truth, Jesus’ mercy was at the core of his ministry. Every miracle, healing, and act of compassion revealed the Father's merciful heart toward a broken world.

Still, Israel’s spiritually deaf and blind rulers did not believe Jesus’ compassionate words, “I desire mercy not sacrifice.” (Matthew 9:13) Legalists often have trouble accepting God’s mercy. We see similar attitudes today whenever people elevate human rules above God's mercy and grace.

With mercy and goodness, the Holy Spirit has stirred us to repent. Mercifully, God has forgiven us when we repent. Throughout history, even as Israel committed gross sins, the Father continued to show an unrelenting, incomparable mercy for his people. He has always given them a way to return to him.

How great is God's mercy that he not only shows us the way to heaven but provides Jesus, the Savior who leads us there.

As we consider our Christian walk, is there any way we might be Pharisee-like? Do we in any way restrict God’s mercy? And let’s consider: How can we be more Jesus-like to extend God’s mercy to others?

Jesus Teaches: Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.