The Lord Desires Mercy

When John the Baptist wanted to know if Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus assured John with the following report: “The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.” [1] Our Savior’s signature work is love in action.

When the Pharisees questioned why Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. He encouraged them to: “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” [2]

Once, Jesus told a rich young ruler, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come and follow Me.” [3]

“Come and follow Me.” What an opportunity for the rich young ruler! But when he heard this, he went away sad. He had great wealth. He wanted the Lord, but he also wanted his wealth.

Jesus already had one Judas Iscariot. Someone who would betray him for money! The rich young ruler was not ready to exchange his lifestyle for the kind that Jesus described.

The Apostle Paul expressed the key to his walk with Jesus this way: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” [4] Paul depended on Jesus to walk as Jesus walks.

Missionary to Ecuador and martyr for Christ, Jim Elliott, expressed the key to his walk with Jesus this way: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, expressed the key to his walk with Jesus this way: “Depend on it. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

The Lord desires mercy. To follow Jesus means to be merciful. To follow Jesus is the opportunity to let one’s love be great! To follow Jesus is to have faith in His faithfulness. As we do His will, He supplies all our needs according to HIS riches and glory. Praise the Lord!

[1] Matthew 11:5
[2] Matthew 9:10-13
[3] Matthew 19:21-22
[4] Galatians 2:20