Showing Mercy

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke.10.37)

The story of a Samaritan helping a man who was stranded led to a lesson where Jesus instructed that we go do same for strangers. The believer is a beneficiary of grace that was received based on mercy. For when we were yet ungodly, Christ died for us. We didn’t really deserve to be forgiven but He deemed it fit to offer the forgiveness upfront until we acknowledged our need of it.

As human beings, it is easy to show mercy to others based on the familiarity we share but getting a stranger to enjoy an act of mercy seems far fetched. However, we are instructed to go do same to people we do not know. Give a helping hand to strangers who need it like the Samaritan did. Mercy does not thrive based on connection but it’s an act of grace.

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy (Matt.5.7).

Showing mercy is not a transactional thing as many try to do. It is a service that responds to d divine DNA in our veins. We show mercy because we have received mercy. In showing mercy, we do not judge about who deserves it or not. In judging, most likely strangers will not be beneficiary.

©Olusola John.