Jesus is Merciful.

Me:

Mercy, what a loaded word isn’t it? Mercy by definition is to show leniency towards someone. It is not owed but granted to someone out of a compassion, mercy flows to the person who has offended.

For me, I remember back in 2008 how we were working on the biggest contract we ever had. Halfway through my site supervisor quit with no notice because the city was nuts with work and you couldn’t hardly keep anyone as they would leave for a few bucks more. I can’t remember how many times I asked God to grant the customer to treat me mercifully as the project stalled and took much longer to finish.

I know that I want mercy, but what about you?

We:

Before we head out on a trip, do we not ask the Lord for journey’s mercies? Ever ask God for mercy in relieving you from chronic pain or anxiety? Do you not want mercy after you have said something offensive to someone knowing that it was wrong? How about when you disobeyed your parents? How about when we sin against God?

Brothers and sisters, Jesus is merciful

The one thing I hope to make crystal clear for you today brothers and sisters is this. Jesus is merciful!

So how can we know that the Lord is merciful?

It is a good thing for us that people in Jesus day were looking for mercy. This is going to help us greatly. Let us now look to the text that was read and see how a leper comes to Jesus for mercy in desiring to be healed.

Well isn’t is a good thing for us that people in Jesus day also were looking for mercy? Let us now look to the text that was read and see how a leper comes to Jesus for healing.

God:

In the providence of God, with the world in the midst of a pandemic that has now come to Canada, this encounter of a leper and Jesus is most fitting.

Lepers, like those infected with COVID-19 were to be quarantined, separated from people as leprosy was contagious.

According to the levitical law regarding leprosy, when someone has this disease he is to tear his clothes, let his hair grow long, have a mustache and yell out “unclean, unclean”. As long as he has the disease, they are to live alone outside of the camp or city.

So, for us to get a proper perspective on what is occurring in this area of Capernaum, this man that was full of leprosy disobeyed the law. He entered into the city to seek out Jesus. He had heard what Jesus had done for many others and wanted to be made well. He would have been lonely and under social disdain as being unclean.

When he finds Jesus, he approaches him and falls on his face before the Lord pleading “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” He is humble and reverent towards Jesus. He is not questioning whether Jesus has the power to heal, but rather if it is his will to make him clean. Remember, mercy is not owed but out of compassion, leniency is given as a gift.

What is about to happen is something remarkable. Jesus stretches out his hand and touches this man. Full of open boils oozing out puss that is highly contagious to whoever it touches. Jesus says to him “I will; be clean.”

Jesus is merciful!!

What do you think this man felt as all who have seen him prior have run from him. Now Jesus touches him and makes him well. What is important for us to know is that according to the ceremonial law, one could not touch a leper so why did Jesus go against the law? I thought he always obeyed it?

Well according to the Sabbath laws, mercy and pity trump the law. We are going to see this fleshed out more later. So by Jesus touching the leper, he obeys the law of love and mercy and heals this man.

Jesus is merciful!

He then gives him clear instruction to go to the priest and make an offering but tell no one about what Jesus did.

According to Mark’s gospel 1:45, he disobeyed Jesus and told even more people.

As a result of the work of Christ, his fame was steadily increasing so that great crowds gathered to hear and be healed. But Jesus would get away to be alone with his Heavenly Father to pray.

In now seeing how Jesus is merciful to this leper, how Jesus is instituting the new covenant of grace, love and mercy, how should we respond in light of this truth?

You:

As Christians who have received God’s mercy we need to remember Jesus words “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Obviously, with the health crises that we are in the midst of, maybe someone elderly or alone quarantined would benefit from someone dropping off groceries, shovelling the driveway, or dropping off the mail for them.

Since this can be a lonely time, you as a young person could make a phone call…yes a phone call, and talk with them for even 5 minutes just to break up the monotony of long lonely days.

We would be careful with our words in that we would care greatly for the elderly and those with compromised health. We would be mindful not to be cavalier in saying that you don’t care about whether you get sick. Be merciful to those like our seniors or those like my son. You may not die, but they could. If we talk carelessly, how do others feel?

So, if we are not feeling great, let’s stay home from church so as to not bring harm to our dear family.

As believers could we dedicate 3-5 minutes each day to pray for doctors, nurses, specialists, pastors that visit in spite of the risk?

Thank God that he has been merciful to you in calling you to partner with him in ministry, whatever that looks like (gospel, discipleship, singing, cleaning, visiting, hospitality).

When we pray for ourselves or others who are sick or struggling with chronic pain that we would be humble and reverent in how we come to God. That we would pray with faith in the healing hand of God, but to pray in such a way that whatever the will of God is, we accept it as good and right. We are not owed anything.

When we sin against God, that we approach the mercy seat of Christ with reverent confidence as blood bought sinners we plead for his forgiveness which he always grants. Remember, Jesus is merciful. Don’t be afraid.

As forgiven sinners, let us also be quick to forgive those who sin against us. Be merciful to others because we want mercy from them don’t we?

If you are an unbeliever, think carefully about Jesus. You do not have to hold onto your sin and guilt like a backpack of bricks. Cast your heavy burden at the foot of the cross and trust in Jesus as your Saviour. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. Jesus is merciful.

If you are an unbeliever, think carefully about Jesus. You do not have to hold onto your sin and guilt like a backpack of bricks. Cast your heavy burden at the foot of the cross and trust in Jesus as your Saviour. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. Jesus is merciful.

[37] All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (ESV)Jesus is merciful.

Now, if we could dream a little bit. What would our church look like if we applied these principles?

We:

For starters, the younger or immature believers would see what being the hands and feet of Jesus look like in action. It is a way that we are discipling without even thinking about it.

Our love for one another would be shown in practical ways. The recipients of care would thank you for your kindness and they would praise and worship God for answering their prayers.

Marriages would be stronger, because grudges or indifference would be forgiven even if they don’t deserve it. Remember, Jesus is merciful.

As a result of stronger marriages, children would see how families are to really be under the Lordship of Christ. There would be less broken homes and happier children as a result of it.

Our community would see what Christians are supposed to be. Not the radical nuts on tv who hate everyone. They would see that even though we screw up, we forgive and carry on. They would see a humble people that love Jesus and love one another. They would see that we truly are living out the gospel of being gracious and kind to one another. This is attractive. This is good and right in the sight of God our Saviour.

I know that this may appear somewhat as radical, but this was what Jesus died for. This is why he sent his Spirit to live in us. That we would bear witness to the salvation we have received from a merciful God. Living out horizontally what we have been given vertically. Not getting what we deserved in judgement, but mercy...forgiveness…eternal life. Jesus is merciful!

Let us also see clearly that the leper asked the Lord if his will was to heal. Meaning that when we pray for healing, whether for our chronic pain, cancer, or the dreaded COVID-19, we humbly and reverently ask “If you will, you can make me clean.” We then trust God to do what is his will. We have faith that he can and still does heal and we praise and thank God for whatever his will is. Let us be assured that Jesus has the authority to heal, but that it may only be on the other side in eternal life.

Now, Luke helps us to see how the teaching of Jesus is getting attention with the Pharisees and scribes.