| Pastoral Resource Ministries, Inc. An Outreach Resource Ministry A Ministry for the Millennium |
| Words of Inspiration for the Week of April 25, 2004 |
| To contact Pastor Thelma Gilbert For more information write or call us at: Pastoral Resource Ministries, Inc. P.O. Box 7232, Bloomfield, CT 06002 Phone (860) 243-2168 - Fax: (860) 242-1838 email: prministrie@snet.net |
| "Mercy - Part 1" |
| "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). One might ask the question, what does the word mercy mean? The word "mercy' could be defined as 1) a power to forgive or be kind; 2) pity; 3) compassionate; 4) a blessing; or 5) harmless. Mercy is one of the major characteristics missing in the world today. So many people put themselves before others. The majority of the times it is about "me, myself and I." In the above text, Matthew 5:7, Jesus' fifth beatitude is indeed one of the greatest saying in the New Testament. It is a beatitude that brings happiness to the heart of one who has lived a life characterized by mercy. It is the one beatitude that requires us to establish a better attitude and human relationship with one another. When we talk about an act or acts of mercy, we cannot help but remember the Biblical story recorded in Luke 10:30-35, the story of the "Good Samaritan," who helped a wounded man on the road to Jericho. This is one of the most superb classics on the subject of "Human Kindness" in the Word of God. Luke just finished talking about Jesus being rejected by the Samaritans in Luke 9:52. In this story, Jesus' is to exalting the Samaritan to demonstrate love as an example for all generations. The kindness that the Samaritan rendered towards the man wounded on the road to Jericho was an act of "mercy." Why was it an act of "mercy?" It was an act of mercy because the Good Samaritan first of all, used his "own time" and stopped to help the wounded man. Secondly, he uses his own resources to help the man. Thirdly, since the Jews and Samaritans did not get along with one another, he took the risk of losing his own life. To this Samaritan, as long as a life was restored to health, he felt that it was worth the chance of endangering his own life. This parable teaches us a great lesson, namely, that anyone who wishes to show mercy must be ready to pay a price for it. The Bible tells us, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:10-11). In this narrative the Good Samaritan did not think about his own needs, but put another person's needs before his own. He basically said to the wounded man, "what's mine is yours' and I am going to share it with you." The Samaritan demonstrated brotherly love and mercy towards a wounded man who apparently was considered to be his enemy. Jesus himself was the "Kindest" man who ever lived. It is said of Him, and it is still said, of no other in history, that if all the deeds of Kindness that He did in three short years were written, the world would not contain the books (John 21:25). The question for all of us to ask ourselves every now and then is, "What kind of acts of mercy am I demonstrating towards my fellowman, even those who are considered to be my enemies." Think about it! Be Blessed! Pastor Thelma Gilbert, MA "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God..." (I John 4:7) |
