Mercy unwarranted and unearned but granted out of love (Matthew 20:30) with a story by Luis Palau.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20:30 (TM)

Suddenly they came upon two blind men sitting alongside the road. When they heard it was Jesus passing, they cried out, "Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!"

STORY as told by Luis Palau:

A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. 

"But I don't ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy." 

"But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied. 

"Sir," the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for." 

"Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the woman's son. 

OBSERVATION:

When it is undeserved … mercy. When forgiveness is unwarranted … mercy. When it isn’t even asked for … mercy. When it is unearned … mercy. When it seems to be unfair … mercy. Two blind men requested it. Why should Jesus grant them their appeal? Mercy is the reason. Why should Napoleon grant a mother’s plea? Mercy is the reason.

What have we done to blessed as we have been? What kind of life have we lived that God should grant unto us all that he has poured into our life? Why … mercy is the answer.

Mercy is usually linked to grace. While two very different attributes I believe that they should be forever linked. No two qualities describe God’s response to our reality. Mercy granted when it is undeserved.

Let us look around us this day and find individuals to whom we should grant mercy … with love, understanding and forgiveness. Some of the saddest people living this life are those who have received mercy, but somehow cannot give it to others. May that not be our story.

PRAYER:

Make us sensitive to those around us today. Help us to celebrate the mercy received by giving mercy. It is undeserved, unwarranted, unearned, and unfair … and yet there it is. Thank you for giving it to us. Now may it be grant it to others.