Title: Show Mercy
Memorize: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Luke 10:30-37 (Nkjv)
[30] Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
[31] Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
[32] Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
[33] But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.
[34] So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
[35] On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
[36] So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
[37] And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Message:
In today’s Bible reading, Jesus told a parable about a Samaritan who helped a man who was attacked by thieves while travelling.
He had compassion on the man, bandaged his wounds, and took care of him.
The Samaritan was full of mercy for the man whom he did not know.
It is important to note that showing mercy involves being kind and compassionate, and forgiving both those we know and those we do not know.
When a fellow refuses to show mercy to others, he or she withholds mercy from himself or herself.
For instance, the servant who refused to show mercy to his debtor in Matthew 18:23-35 lost the mercy he had earlier received from his own master.
My dear child, you can show mercy by being kind to people and helping them in any way you can when they are in need.
This is what God expects you to do, just like the Samaritan did.
Forgiving others when they offend you is another way to show mercy.
In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother who had sinned against him.
Jesus replied that he is to forgive such a brother 70 x 7 times. Jesus expects you to forgive others when they offend you: it is an act of mercy.
Key Point
If you want God to show you mercy, you must show mercy to others.
HYMN 17: GOD SENT HIS SON, THEY CALLED HIM JESUS
1 God Sent His Son, They Called Him Jesus;
He Came To Love, Heal And Forgive.
He Lived And Died To Buy My Pardon;
An Empty Grave Is There To Prove My Savior Lives.
Chorus:
Because He Lives
I Can Face Tomorrow
Because He Lives
All Fear Is Gone
Because I Know He Holds The Future
And Life Is Worth The Living
Just Because He Lives
2 How Sweet To Hold A Newborn Baby,
And Feel The Pride And Joy He Gives;
But Greater Still The Calm Assurance:
This Child Can Face Uncertain Day Because He Lives.
3 And then one day I’ll cross the river,
“l fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and
“l knovw he lives.
Bible In One Year: Luke 1:24-56, Deuteronomy 33-34
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye