Go and Learn What This Means: I Desire Mercy...
Lenten Reflections on the Sermon on the Mount
A little later in Matthew’s Gospel, he tells the story of his own calling. He was sitting at his tax-collection booth (because Matthew was one of the infamous tax-collectors at the time) when Jesus passed by. And then two little words changed Matthew’s life forevermore: Follow me.
Those two words, that simple invitation, have been changing people’s lives ever since. During the season of Lent, folks are challenged to follow Jesus in sacrificial ways, just like Jesus did for us. This, of course, is not the fun part of following Jesus. We’d much rather stick with the stories of Jesus feeding the hungry, welcoming little children, healing the sick, correcting the hypocrites, and righting injustices. But following Jesus inevitably leads us to the cross. If you want to keep following me, Jesus says, then you have to deny yourself and take up your cross.
Not as fun, Jesus…
To be sure, following The Way of Jesus is not always fun or affirming or a blessing. Sometimes, to follow The Way of Jesus, means self-sacrifice, being told we are in the wrong, that we need to change.
Such was the case when Matthew followed Jesus to a dinner table, around which sat Jesus, His disciples, and a whole bunch of “tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 9:10). A group of religious folk took notice - as we are so good at doing - and began talking about Jesus to those in His group. Sounds gossipy, catty, and judgmental to me. Sigh…How often have I witnessed this scene replay itself among modern Christians.
Nothing gets by Jesus - today or back then. So Jesus retorted: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy…”
In His fifth beatitude, Jesus declares, Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
The world is not very merciful these days. Our nation, its leaders, and those “Christian” Nationalists do not value mercy. They want #LionsNotSheep. They want #MuscleJesus, not the one who was obedient to death, even death on a cross, giving His life as a ransom for many.
No, mercy is not very popular these days. And it wasn’t very popular in Jesus’ time either. Nevertheless, blessed are the merciful.
One of the many annoying things about granting mercy is that it is something you have to initiate, that you have to give. Being merciful is not a passive action. It is to consciously give grace, compassion, forgiveness, empathy to one who does not deserve it.
Receiving mercy is a release. Giving mercy is too, not only for the one receiving it but for the one releasing it. Releasing our judgment. Releasing our disdain. Releasing our being wronged. Releasing our cynicism. Releasing our need to be right. When understood in this light, Jesus’ words begin to resonate: happy are the merciful. Of course they are! They don’t need to hold on to grudges. They no longer sit in seats of self-righteousness. In giving mercy, they are freed from vindictiveness, retribution, and spite. Blessed are the merciful, indeed!
I am convicted by Jesus’ words this morning. How about you?