“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Luke 6:36 NIV
Reading verse 36, the red-letter words of Jesus, is easier to obey if I feel sorry for the person. Or if I know that person or have a friendship with them.
Let’s consider the context of this passage. In a sermon to His disciples and others, Jesus instructs them on how to live, act, and respond to others as a Christ follower.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Luke 6:32-36 NIV
Mercy doesn’t start with feelings—it starts with our Father God. He is merciful, kind, and gracious even to the ungrateful. As His children, we reflect His heart when we choose mercy over meanness, kindness over cruelty, redemption over retaliation, and prayer over our pride.
Let’s consider asking ourselves these questions:
- What am I feeding my soul with each day?
- What thoughts and emotions are shaping my responses?
- Is what I dwell on stirring me toward compassion and prayer—or only toward frustration and anger?
When we align our inner lives with our Father’s mercy, we begin to respond more like Him.
I love the picture above: our ‘ohana linking arms in the Lo’i. A picture of togetherness and unity. Let’s link hearts and be ‘ohana who show mercy to others even when they don’t deserve it. May we reflect Jesus’ heart today—in words, in responses, and in our choices.
