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Mercy is at the heart of the Kingdom of God. Take away the mercy which God placed there and the Kingdom becomes no better than any other organization or cause. When mercy departs the Kingdom, so does grace, forgiveness and longsuffering. In short, the Kingdom of god apart from mercy cannot be the Kingdom of God simply because mercy is inherent in God's character. The following account from the life of Christ illustrates the tremendous and irreplaceable role that mercy has in the kingdom of heaven.

“Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, “Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, “Pay me what you owe!” So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.'” (Matthew 18.21-35).

The primary point of the preceding parable is to convey the principle of mercy as fundamental in the heart of the believer. Where mercy is not present, forgiveness is lacking, and where forgiveness is lacking on the human side, God responds in kind by withholding forgiveness from the professed believer. It is also noteworthy in the foregoing parable, that neither of the debtors could pay the debt that was owed the Master. This also bears a striking similarity to the kingdom of heaven and our relationship to the King. None of us can pay the debt that we owe; we are all spiritually bankrupt! Our only hope of becoming solvent hinges upon the mercy and grace of the King! All believers in good standing with the King realize that we owe a debt we cannot pay and that He paid a debt He did not owe!

It was this characteristic of God that was showcased when Hosea said that He [God] desired mercy and not sacrifice (Hosea 6.6). It was also this trait that Jesus possessed which compelled him to come to this earth with the mission of seeking and saving the lost (see Luke 19.10). It was mercy that made the cross a reality in spite of the fact that He had the power to call down legions of angels to defeat His enemies (see Matthew 26.53). And to finish off this Divine chain of mercy, it was this very trait that caused God to extend forgiveness to the very one who had murdered His Son (see Acts 2.23-36). It is the mercy of God combined with His longsuffering that yet stays the hand of judgement, waiting patiently so that all may hear and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3.9). (continued)

Questions:

1. What fate did the king in Matthew 18 declare for the servant who refused to extend mercy to his debtors?

2. Why should we be merciful? How will God treat us if we fail to possess and readily dispense mercy?

3. What amazing characteristics of God were involved in the fact that He was willing to forgive the very people who had killed His innocent Son?

4. According to Romans 5.8, what were we when God demonstrated his love for us by sending his Son to redeem us from our sins? How does this demonstrate mercy?

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

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