Maybe you saw this story on CBS
news this week. Dan’s wife died and he became seriously depressed. For six
months he stayed at home, wishing he could die. It was as if he was already
dead. The worst part of his life was having to get groceries. It meant that he
had to leave the house and face other people in the store.
He shopped on Seniors Day, so the
store was full of older people, as well as younger families. He was in the
canned food aisle when a little voice said, “Hello, old person. Today is my
birthday.” And then she asked for a hug.
Something about Nora’s invitation
penetrated through the fog of Dan’s depression. And he began to talk with her. In
the selfie photo they took, Dan’s grin was as big as Nora’s. The relationship
that developed since has been filled with a love Dan says he has never before
known.
Why did Nora approach Dan, and
not the other “old persons” in the store? Why was she able to break into his
depression and make a difference? I
think it was a God thing, a God-incidence. At this particular moment, God sent
Nora to shine mercy into Dan’s heart.
… It was mercy that Jesus sent
from the cross into the hearts of the two criminals on the crosses beside him.
Only one of them accepted it and saw the possibilities of the future even
though he was dying. He wanted the forgiveness and grace Jesus was offering. He
reached out and received mercy.
Last week I talked about Jesus as
Lord of all. Today I want us to see him as merciful Lord of all. The Bible is
filled with stories of kings who did not obey God. Only a few were known to be
mostly obedient to YHWH. That’s what makes King David and King Solomon so
unique … they are not known to worship other gods … even though they are
otherwise pretty sinful as human standards go.
Today is Christ the King Sunday. Our
world and our history are also filled with stories of good and really awful
kings and rulers. Jesus is nothing like any of them. So I usually think of
Jesus as a sovereign, who reigns, and today is Reign of Christ Sunday. As Lord
of All, Jesus reigns over everything there is and over all that happens. Unlike
other rulers who may or may not be merciful rulers, Jesus rules, reigns, with
mercy, and wants us to also be merciful.
… So, what does mercy look like
in the “real world”? Every year, Hallmark Channel shows movies about the
Christmas spirit. Often, there is a lead character who has experienced
something that made her or him hate Christmas. The story tells of the mercy
shown to the character by the community that surrounds them, and shows them the
Christmas spirit, and eventually converts them into believers.
The movie Christmas Cookies told the story of Hannah, who was instructed by
her boss to make a deal with Jake to purchase Jake’s company, Aunt Sally’s
Christmas Cookies. Aunt Sally’s was experiencing financial difficulties and
needed an influx of cash to continue to exist.
When Jake realized he was out of
options, he agreed to a deal, with one important clause. Because the new owners
planned to move the company out of town, the citizens would be out of work. So,
Jake insisted that the purchase agreement gave any money he might to receive to
the employees, the people of the town who worked at Aunt Sally’s.
Jake was more concerned about the
others than about his own welfare, showing them mercy despite financial
consequences for himself.
… Often, we are more interested
in retribution, in revenge, than in mercy when someone harms us. We want them
to hurt as much or more than we have hurt. It is hard for us to be merciful
when we are in pain. Yet, this is what Jesus shows us, even while hanging on
the cross.
This week we have seen riots in
response to Mr Trump’s election. “Not my president,” the signs say. Blocks
around his apartment building are guarded by soldiers and police officers and
blockades. In part, this is normal protection, but in part this is because of
fear of retribution against him. Where is the mercy that should be shown? When
will they give him a chance to lead?
Yet, we will be watching to see
if he shows mercy to those who are hurting. Will President Trump be a merciful
ruler? That remains to be seen. On the other hand, we know we will always see
mercy with Jesus, our merciful sovereign.
With Jesus, we see divine mercy.
… We see divine mercy when the
hungry are fed, when there are jobs for the unemployed and under-employed, when
there are homes for the homeless who want homes. We see divine mercy when a
dying loved one is finally out of pain. We see divine mercy when refugees find
a place to live, or are at last able to return home. We see divine mercy when
someone listens to our stories and understands our heartache.
This week, look around for mercy
being shown to you or to others. Give thanks for the mercy. Show some mercy to
someone who is hurting. Tell someone Jesus loves and forgives them, so they
receive some much-needed divine mercy. Give someone a hug, as Nora did with
Dan, and share mercy with each other.
At the Thanksgiving meal this
week, go around the table and tell a story of mercy, yours, or someone else’s.
You can even tell a story you saw on TV, as I did today.
Please pray with me: Jesus, our
Sovereign Lord, Ruler of All that is, be with us this week. Shine your mercy on
us, and help us share mercy with others. In your holy name. Amen
