Mercy is Simple.

Many Christians might think that showing mercy takes a lot of effort. In all reality, however, mercy is simple and can be shown through a simple gesture and even sometimes with very few words. Mercy can often be demonstrated by the willingness to walk alongside those who may not have a voice, and the result can be lifechanging. Showing mercy in ministry doesn’t always involve a two-week missions trip to a foreign country. Showing mercy is and can be as simple as visiting a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, clothing pantry, etc.

Take John 8:3-11 for example. The scribes and Pharisees catch a woman in the act of adultery and bring her before Jesus. While this was their way of testing Him and whether Jesus would follow the Law of Moses (which commands those caught in adultery to be stoned), Jesus’ actions and choice of words (very few) show this woman mercy and leave the men dumbfounded. Rather than rebuking the woman, going along with the Pharisees, and agreeing she should be stoned, He stays silent as He writes in the dirt with His finger. When they repeatedly pushed for a response from Jesus, we read in verse 7, “But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, ‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Having no response to Jesus or the further accusations against the woman, they drop their stones and walk away. The account of the adulteress woman closes with Jesus asking her where her accusers are, and then telling her that He doesn’t condemn her either and go and sin no more.

Mercy allows us to not necessarily be silent in the face of mercy or consequence. Mercy allows us to offer a path on how we walk alongside of, rather than ahead or behind or holding something over their head.

We must, as Christians, be willing to show mercy under pressure for those who are placed in front of us. Often these individuals have no voice, and if they do, their voices are suppressed. Much like the women in John 8. We must be willing, in neither condemning nor condoning their actions, to walk alongside them and meet them at their level. Jesus did and that is the example He gave us in showing mercy to others.

Mercy is Given Freely

Just as mercy is simple, mercy also can cost little to nothing in terms of monetary value. It costs nothing to meet someone at their level and be willing to walk alongside that person and speak for them.

Mercy must be given freely. As Christians, we must freely show mercy to whom the Holy Spirit directs us and places in our paths. Do the rich require mercy from you and me? Rarely. Who then requires our mercy? It is often the nameless face in the crowd.

Saint Basil the Great, in his book, “On Social Justice,” wrote, “Tell me, do you really seek riches and financial gain from the destitute? If this person had the resources to make you even wealthier, why did he come begging to your door? He came seeking an ally, but found an enemy. He came seeking medicine, and stumbled onto poison.”

Freely give of the mercy we are taught about in Scripture but seek no return on our investment from the individual to whom mercy is shown.

Mercy is Personal

Embracing mercy ministry under the shadow of the cross means to get involved personally. We can only get involved personally by, as what has been previously stated, meeting individuals on level ground, or meeting them at the point of their need(s). As author Tony Merida states in his book, “Ordinary: How to Turn the World Upside Down,” “Mercy ministry is about alleviating suffering. Those who want to alleviate suffering should want to alleviate more than temporary suffering. They should want to alleviate eternal suffering, which can only come through faith in Christ.” He further states, “But the gospel melts our hearts. It’s the only engine that can empower and sustain a life of mercy ministry. It shows us first how we can’t measure up, and then points to the Redeemer, who receives us, washes us, forgives us, empowers us, and keeps renewing us beside still waters. We will love others well when we rest in the love of the Redeemer.”

Showing mercy through ministry and humanitarian action involves getting personal. But most importantly, it points to the cross of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, and Author and Finisher of our faith. Mercy must always point to Christ, and this is done at the most personal level of meeting people on their level.

Responding with Mercy

Merida also talks about the story of the Good Samaritan, in his book, “Ordinary: How to Turn the World Upside Down.” The story of the Good Samaritan is about responding, with a biblical worldview, to the world around us. It’s about showing mercy to those who probably will not look like us, believe like us, or think like us. Merida writes, “The Samaritan was moved with ‘compassion,’ which led him to action. He saw the need of a real human being. He had compassion on him and made an inconvenient and financial sacrifice. He was committed to helping him in a real way.” Despite the hatred between the Samaritans and Jews, this Samaritan man saw a need, showed empathy and sympathy for the man, and unlike those who crossed the road or walked on by, met the man at his level and chose mercy.

Mercy is Eternal

Showing mercy, especially in a mercy ministry or humanitarian action-type environment, may not reap immediate and tangible rewards or benefits. Giving of ourselves to those who have no voice rarely will. God calls us to show mercy. He did with the women caught in adultery, one of the men who hung next to Him on the cross, and many other instances throughout the New Testament. God demonstrates mercy all throughout Scripture. When Cain killed Abel, Cain was punished, but God showed mercy in that he placed a mark on Cain to protect him. Every time Jesus healed someone with an affliction or disease, He chose mercy. As Christians, we must also show mercy whenever we are afforded the opportunity, as difficult as it may be in the moment. Perhaps we will find ourselves in a similar situation as the Samaritan man. Everything inside of us is telling us to keep walking or look the other way, but the Holy Spirit has used this moment as a divine appointment to show others His love and mercy through us. Seize that moment.

From the very second we breathe our last and final breath on this earth, and our beating hearts cease to beat, all the “would have’s” and “could have’s” in this world mean absolutely nothing. Saint John Chrysostom, in his book “On Wealth and Poverty,” wrote, “From all these parables it is clear that nothing will help us hereafter if we do not have good deeds; but whether we make supplications and petitions or whether we remain silent, all the same the sentence of punishment and retribution will come upon us,” and, “Therefore, let us not think that our affairs are concluded with the present life, but let us believe that there will certainly be a judgment and a recompense for all that is done here among us.”
While we probably won’t be rewarded for our mercy ministry or what we do on the humanitarian front here on earth and in this life, God is keeping a record of what we do and don’t do. We will give an account and answer for all those ignored opportunities that He laid before us.