Mercy Me
The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes…
From “The Merchant of Venice”
by William Shakespeare
Mercy and forgiveness are at the heart of Christianity. As he was dying, Jesus said from the Cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Those words weren’t intended only for the men who accused, tortured, and crucified him. They weren’t only for the disciples who betrayed and abandoned him. They were for ALL of us from the beginning of human history until today. We all need forgiveness for not being the people God intended. In Ephesians 2, Paul says God is “rich in mercy.”
But what does that mean? Is everything forgivable, or are there some things even God can’t forgive? What’s the point of forgiving somebody who doesn’t think they’ve done anything wrong? Isn’t forgiveness just TOO HARD?
Sunday, I’ll be looking at the concept of mercy. What is it? Why is it crucial that we understand and embody it? And what does that look like in the real world? Join us in worship at 8:30, 9:00, or 11:00, in person or online.
Pastor Vann
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