Mercy, Mercy Me! – Part II

Sunday, April 30, 2017
Woodstream Church
Matthew 18:21-22

Unlimited data plans.  Unlimited calling plans.  We expect no limitations on these aspects of our lives.  We expect unlimited mercy from God, but extend limited mercy to others.  Like the salary caps in professional sports, we have the notion of mercy caps for others, forgiving them two, three or four times a day, but no more.  The rabbis of ancient Israel taught to forgive three times a day.  Peter thought his response of seven was generous when he asked Jesus how many times he should forgive.  He was shocked by Jesus’ command of 70 times 7, showing that he didn’t fully grasp the concept of forgiveness.
Love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs. Mercy has no cap number.  Some may complain that it is unreasonable to extend mercy to those who have dramatically hurt us or those whose attitudes and actions are unacceptable.  Mercy is indeed unreasonable until you are the one who needs it.  What keeps us balanced is recognizing mercy makes perfect sense when we need it but no sense when we are to extend it.

Practice Mercy. Mercy looks forward; unforgiveness looks backward.  Mercy leads to rest while unforgiveness leads to sleeplessness.  Unforgiveness can make you more despicable than the person you despise.

The Merciless Are Confined To A Prison. In Jesus’ parable, the unforgiving servant was cast into prison, a torture chamber.  He was showing that in personal relationships, a merciless spirit is its own prison, confining the one who is unforgiving.