God of Mercy
Download MP3Welcome to a place of peace, hope, and divine encouragement. This is Joy In Every Step with your host, beloved preacher, retired teacher, and faithful faithful servant of the Lord, Sarita Bernadette. Each week, Sarita shares heartfelt messages rooted in the Word of God, filled with wisdom, joy, and the gentle reminder that God cares deeply for you. Whether you're walking through the valleys or dancing on the mountaintops, Sarita's voice will guide you back to his promises step by step. So open your heart, settle your spirit, and take the next step in faith with Joy In Every Step.
Sarita Bernadette:Hi, I'm Sarita Bernadette and welcome back to another episode of Joy In Every Step. I'm glad you're here. Happy Holy Week everyone! This is a sacred time for us as believers. This week is filled with reflection, gratitude, and hope.
Sarita Bernadette:Yes, hope. It marks Christ's final days on earth and his ultimate sacrifice for all humanity. We began on Sunday remembering his triumphant entry into Jerusalem as the people cried Hosanna or Save us. On Monday, Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple because they had turned God's house into a den of thieves. On Tuesday Jesus taught in the temple challenging religious leaders who questioned his authority.
Sarita Bernadette:He was also anointed at Bethany on that day. On Wednesday Judas Iscariot agreed to betray Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. Thursday Jesus shared the last supper, washed his disciples feet, and was betrayed in the Garden Of Gethsemane. Friday Jesus was tried, sentenced, crucified, and buried in a tomb. On Saturday his body remained in the tomb but his spirit descended into hell and declared victory over death, the grave, and demonic powers.
Sarita Bernadette:Then came Sunday. He got up. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Sunday. He lives. He lives.
Sarita Bernadette:I pray that you'll spend some time this weekend reading through the events in one or more of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. They recount the events of Holy Week from unique perspectives. Each zeros in on specific details and highlights. Speaking of mercy. Mercy.
Sarita Bernadette:Ephesians two:four-seven: But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved, and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. Mercy. Thayer's lexicon defines eleos, the Greek word for mercy, as kindness or goodwill toward the miserable and afflicted joined with a desire to help them. It encompasses both human compassion and the divine mercy of God in providing salvation, acting as an active force rather than just a feeling.
Sarita Bernadette:Further, divine mercy specifically refers to God's providence and mercy in offering salvation through Christ. That is the ultimate mercy shown to us by God Almighty, right? Jesus is the supreme expression of mercy as he took the punishment for human sin. Titus three:three-six For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of our God, our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Sarita Bernadette:This spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Paul reminds us there that it was the Lord who rescued us from our foolish ways and he made us new, not because of our good works but because of his divine kindness. It was mercy that saved us, beloved. Human mercy refers to the virtue of showing kindness and compassion to others. It's when we see the needs of others and we care that moves us to do something in light of what we see and feel.
Sarita Bernadette:In Luke six thirty six believers are called to be merciful just as your Father is merciful. In the tenth chapter of Luke there's a familiar parable. It's come to be known as the parable of the good Samaritan. It's Luke ten twenty five-thirty seven. An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.
Sarita Bernadette:Teacher, he said, what must I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, what is written in the law? What do you read there? He answered, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.' Verse 28: And he said to him, you have given the right answer. Do this and you will live.' But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, and who is my neighbor?
Sarita Bernadette:Jesus replied, A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, while traveling, came upon him, and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating him with oil and wine.
Sarita Bernadette:Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out 2 denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend. Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? He said, the one who showed him mercy. Jesus said to him, go and do likewise.
Sarita Bernadette:So from this story we know that the man wasn't genuinely curious when he asked the question. He was actually challenging the knowledge and the authority of Jesus. Specifically, he wanted to limit the use of the term neighbor to the people he deemed worthy of his love. Through the story, Jesus makes it clear that neither race nor religion matter. Proximity and difference don't matter.
Sarita Bernadette:Love transcends all of the differences. We are all worthy of love. And don't miss this part of the lesson, beloved. Jesus exposes the pride and the prejudice in this man. The story challenges his sense of privilege.
Sarita Bernadette:Selah. Even though the person that came by was from another land, another place, Samaria, someplace different, He is the one who was counted as a neighbor. The parable also demonstrates the power of mercy. Beloved, mercy heals and comforts. The lesson teaches us that mercy requires kindness and action towards others.
Sarita Bernadette:We are to act without prejudice when it comes to showing love and compassion. And I'm aware that in this climate it can be a challenge. But we must move and act in love because we represent the Master. That leads us to James two thirteen: For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Sarita Bernadette:Beloved, this verse reminds us of the importance of mercy. God is looking for us to show compassion to others. It's a characteristic that should be prevalent in our lives. God is telling us compassion, not harsh judgment, defines true faith, and it is what will triumph in the end. Demonstrating love counts.
Sarita Bernadette:The verse says mercy triumphs mercy triumphs over judgment And it's more powerful than vengeance. Remember that part. Second Corinthians one verses three and four: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. Beloved, the Lord gives us strength during our suffering, not just for our own personal relief, but so that we can be of comfort to others with the same divine encouragement and love and compassion that we have received. Now let's circle back to divine mercy.
Sarita Bernadette:That's what this week is all about. I mentioned the Greek word for mercy is eleos. That word is connected to the ancient Greek word for olive oil: eleon. Yes, these words share the same fruit. Mercy and olive oil.
Sarita Bernadette:Imagine that. And some of you are familiar with what olive oil has been used for. In the ancient world it was applied to soothe, treat wounds, and bring healing. You're catching on. The oil was massaged in to comfort and repair.
Sarita Bernadette:Think about that in the spirit. When we say, Lord, have mercy, we are acknowledging God's grace. In that moment, we are reminded that we need his divine mercy. We need his power. We understand that our own power is insufficient.
Sarita Bernadette:Lord, have mercy. Pour some oil on me, Lord. Anoint me afresh. I need to feel your presence. Heal me, Lord.
Sarita Bernadette:God reveals his character throughout the word, and in the thirty fourth chapter of Exodus, we find an example. For context, Moses is at the top of Mount Sinai alone with the second set of tablets. Remember, he broke the first set after the whole calf incident. And the Lord meets Moses right there. In Exodus thirty four and six, we read: The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Sarita Bernadette:Beloved, God is a God of compassion and mercy, also called El Rakum in Hebrew. Rakum is a Hebrew name for God meaning the compassionate God, the merciful God, representing his deep, nurturing love for us. It's who he is, beloved, found in scriptures like Deuteronomy four and thirty one, which reads, Because the Lord your God is a merciful God, he will neither abandon you nor destroy you. He will not forget the covenant with your ancestors that he swore to them. This highlights God's commitment to his covenant, offering mercy and a second chance.
Sarita Bernadette:And it gets even better. The word rakum means mercy and compassion, but its root means womb. W o m b womb. I love that. God's compassion and mercy are like the womb of a mother.
Sarita Bernadette:The womb, you know, that sacred protected space. He holds us close, beloved. Psalm 50 one:one Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love, according to your abundant mercy. Blot out my transgressions. There is an appeal for grace and forgiveness in this psalm, but it also acknowledges his unwavering love and overflowing compassion.
Sarita Bernadette:He is indeed a merciful God. Quick testimony from Paul the Apostle. In first Timothy one and twelve we find, I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief. Verse 14: And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Sarita Bernadette:The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience as an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Amen indeed, Paul.
Sarita Bernadette:Last word, Hebrews four fifteen-sixteen. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Beloved, we can approach God in prayer confidently because Jesus, our high priest, has granted us access. Verse 15 tells us he understands and he intercedes because he walked this walk.
Sarita Bernadette:He knows what it's like to have human struggles. We have help in our time of need. He is a God who soothes, comforts, and heals. El Racun, the compassionate God, the merciful God. You've been listening to Joy In Every Step.
Sarita Bernadette:I'm Sarita Bernadette and I'm grateful you chose to spend some time here with me. Feel free to share this episode with someone you know would appreciate it. You can find Joy In Every Step wherever you listen to your podcasts and give us a follow there. Do check out the website at joyineverystep.org. See you next time.
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