Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
"It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Jesus lived and died by that truth. He "gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age" (Galatians 1:4). "In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope" (1 Peter 1:3).
Mercy is love expressed. When Christians practice mercy, they place the needs of others above their own, in much the same way that Jesus placed our need for forgiveness and salvation first, allowing Himself to be insulted, abused, and finally crucified in order to procure that salvation for us. God so loved that He gave. Calvary is the proof of God's mercy.
To be merciful is to act out of love and compassion for others, to try to see with their eyes, think with their minds, and feel with their hearts. God's Son did just that when He took on human flesh and blood to experience life's struggles just as we do, though without sin. He offered His life in our place as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins.
As we display mercy in Christ's name, we become more like our Lord. By His grace we will obtain the ultimate mercy: entrance into God's heavenly sanctuary, to abide with Him forever.
PRAYER: O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Let me show mercy daily in the name of Jesus Christ, the merciful. Amen.
(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)
Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 14 Mark 8:1-21
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