JFlah's Blunders

Mercy. It’s such a strange un-human concept. At our base level, no human has a knee-jerk reaction that is merciful unless there is an outside force acting upon our naturally self-centered minds. If we don’t immediately jump to revenge-mode it’s likely because of two things: We are concerned about how society (read “friends or family”) will view our actions (so we reign in our desire to exact revenge or lessen our reaction to the wrong.) We extend mercy as an out-flow of something deeper, purer – namely a relationship with the God of the universe, leaving room for God’s judgment. ( Romans 12:9 ) God sent His perfect Son to live a sinless life, be obedient to the point of shedding His blood and death, then to rise bodily from the grave – providing hope of eternal life. Through Christ’s sinless life, death, and subsequent resurrection, the penalty for sin ( death ) was satiated and God freely offers mercy to us despite our sinful rebellion. (...

I'm marveling at the mercy of the cross. At the ninth hour (3pm) the day following Passover evening, Jesus Christ allowed himself to be crucified. He died. It was gruesome and terrible, but through His death (but mostly His resurrection) we have the hope of heaven. That's why we call it "Good Friday." Christ's sacrifice made it possible for me, a gentile, to receive God's mercy, have hope of life eternal, and it blows my mind even now. Thank you, Father God, for that mercy, for the sacrifice and for the hope that it has created in this life You've given me. In your Son's holy name, Jesus Christ, Amen.