God’s not indifferent to any one of us. He’s not just standing by watching us drown but offers us help in our dire predicament. Words such as “grace” (which speaks of undeserved love and acceptance received from another), “compassion” (which speaks of tenderhearted sympathy and kindness toward other people; a deep feeling of interest), and “mercy” (which speaks of compassion for the downtrodden) especially describes God’s character and His love for each and every one of us. These three words best describe God’s love for us and the love He desires for us to have toward others. In James, we read this about our Lord, “The Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11b).
I want to look at an example of love that happened thousands of years ago. It was in a time of kings and kingdoms. During this time, when one family lost rule to another, the losing family more than likely was put to death. We’re in Israel, and the King is Saul. He and his son Jonathan have just died in a battle. The news reached David, and he was grieved. However, the Lord had chosen him to be the next king.
So now David is King, and Saul’s family is scared. Not only has a man from another family become king, but Saul has gone against David and tried to kill him for no reason. It’s no wonder that Saul’s family feared David. Saul’s family was scared that David would put them to death. In this sense of panic, in an attempt to make a hasty escape, the nurse permanently injures Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson (2 Samuel 4:4).
Let’s fast forward a little bit. Now Mephibosheth is an adult with a severe disability. King David is overwhelmed with the blessings God has poured out on Him, and he remembers his former friendship with Jonathan. We read, “David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake’” (2 Samuel 9:1)? This is a case of compassion, mercy, and grace. This totally goes against the kingly code of the day. It’s an example of true love.
David finds a servant of Saul, the former king, Ziba, who tells David about Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:2-7). This is a remarkable account. When Mephibosheth was brought before the king, he must have been scared to death. He probably feared for his life, but instead, David, the man his grandfather tried to kill, offers him words of kindness. So you see, when the love of God is in a person’s heart, one desires to release others from fear, not to create it.
David had every right to put Mephibosheth to death but instead showed him kindness. But, listen to what David says to Mephibosheth, “You and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table” (2 Samuel 9:10). Mephibosheth regularly ate at the king’s table. What an example of compassion, mercy, and grace.
To learn how to follow David’s example of showing such loving mercy, let’s look at Jesus’s example recorded in Matthew. We read, “When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Matthew writes much about the loving mercy of Jesus throughout his gospel. The leaders had failed in their responsibility of properly caring for those they were to lead. But these people weren’t unnoticed by Jesus. Jesus saw them. We have to see people to show loving mercy to them.
Then we read, “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest’” (Matthew 9:37-38). Jesus’ disciples are urged to “pray earnestly” that the Lord would “send out laborers into the harvest.” The amazing thing is that many are ready to receive the good news of the kingdom. We’ve got to love them and pray for them.
The account continues, “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 10:1). The Lord calls the disciples to Him as an initial answer to the prayer for the Lord to send workers. We’ve got to go to them to reach them. Prayer and obedience are genuinely needed to show loving mercy to people like the Lord. As we see the need, our hearts are given a greater capacity to love. As we love, we are drawn to pray. As we pray, we are empowered to go and reach those in need. What a simple example the Lord has left us to follow.
Think about it, Mephibosheth regularly ate at the king’s table. He is undeserving yet unconditionally loved. A day will come when all who are in Christ will be sitting at the table of the King of Kings. His love, compassion, mercy, and grace on that day will cover all our crippling needs. You see, God loves us unconditionally, and we can do the same for others through His power and leading. We are drawn to God by His kindness and love. Others will be drawn to accept salvation in Christ, God’s profound love for them, when they see His love and truth expressed in and through us. God’s mercy is seen by His providing us salvation in Christ, which is ours when we receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. His mercy for each of us is seen in His desire to show it to others through His church.