Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

Mercy = Not getting what YOU DESERVE.

“To be let OFF THE HOOK.”

Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. CARRYING HIS OWN CROSS, he went out to the place of the Skull. John 19:16-17

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23

#1 Mercy CARRIES

Mercy PICKS UP A WEIGHT someone else was supposed to CARRY THEMSELVES.

Mercy is less about giving someone a piece of your MIND, and more about giving someone a piece of your HEART.

Have I prioritized a relationship of mercy, or of justice?

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals - one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:32-34

#2 Mercy SEES.

Mercy sees PEOPLE how God sees PEOPLE.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image.

Psalm 139:14 I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry,‘Mine!’” - Abraham Kuyper

Mercy sees SOULS, not ISSUES.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

People aren’t your PROBLEM, they’re your CALLING.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

#3 Mercy FREES

Mercy = FORGIVENESS

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

You simply cannot be MERCIFUL if you cannot FORGIVE. If you can extend FORGIVENESS, God will overflow you with His MERCY.