The Gospel is about receiving the mercy of Christ. There is no way one can save him/herself. It is only through mercy God extends His love and grace to offer salvation. Without it, we’re doomed. Mercy is a big deal. Mercy is at the heart of the Gospel. And since that is so, extending mercy to others is a mark of a true, born-again believer. If our Gospel isn’t oozing with mercy, it may be a good time to re-evaluate. There is no way around it. The Gospel is all about otherness.
No doubt, some folks may say, the Gospel is all about repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Some folks may say, the Gospel is all about believing. Yes and yes, but here’s the thing… Repentance bears fruit—mercy! I noticed these words recently in Luke 3: 7-10 “John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.” He goes on with more examples, but the point is, the concept of “otherness” should be the core of Christianity—with mercy at the heart that core—generous mercy, that is.
Jesus explains it well: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ Jesus also made it clear that when we don’t do these things, we’re not really His. That’s a lot to think about, for sure, but the point is, all of the acts Jesus mentioned here are rooted in mercy. The true Gospel is all about otherness, with generous mercy at the heart.
Jesus has graciously laid down His life for the sake of others. He has shown us such incredible, vast amounts of mercy and if we have indeed received it, the call is to go and do likewise. We best live this out by depending on Jesus for mercy to help us. In every situation we encounter, in every hot-topic debated, in every circumstance, we should pray, Lord, what is the most merciful thing I can say and/or do in this moment? I would rather be wrong erring on the side of mercy than not. An authentic relationship with Jesus Christ will manifest mercy. Love God, love others. Come on, Church, let’s do this— well. The world is listening and watching.
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