Introduction: The Struggle to Accept Mercy
As Jesus gazed over Jerusalem, His heart broke. He longed to gather the people of the city, like a mother hen gathers her chicks. He wanted to care for them, protect them, and give them the love they desperately needed. Yet, the people didn’t want His care. Instead, they turned away from the very mercy He longed to offer them.
This moment is heartbreaking. The people who needed mercy most rejected it. It wasn’t just the people of Jerusalem in the past. This same rejection happens today in our lives. We too often turn away from God’s mercy, even when it is the very thing we need the most.
Why Do We Reject Mercy?
The question is simple but profound: Why do we turn away from God’s mercy? The answer is complicated. We live in a world that often doesn’t understand or value mercy. Mercy feels foreign, like something too good to be true. We may feel unworthy or think that we don’t deserve it. Maybe we’ve been taught to earn everything we get, so the idea of receiving something we haven’t earned seems difficult to accept.
Think about this: Have you ever had a moment where you felt too guilty or ashamed to ask for help? Maybe you’ve been so caught up in your mistakes that you felt like no one would forgive you. That’s what God’s mercy feels like to many of us. We don’t believe it’s for us.
The Story of Jesus: A Heartbreaking Longing
Throughout history, God sent prophets to guide His people, but time and time again, they rejected them, even killing them. Fast forward to Holy Week, and we see the ultimate rejection: Jesus, the Son of God, the ultimate prophet, was betrayed, mocked, and ultimately crucified. He was killed by the very people He came to save.
Why did this happen? Jesus came to offer mercy, yet His message was not accepted by everyone. His love and grace were too much for some to comprehend. But this was not the end. Jesus knew the path He was walking, and He chose it out of love, to offer mercy to those who would accept it.
The Power of Mercy
Jesus’ mercy is unlike anything the world offers. The world might say you have to work for everything. It might say you must earn forgiveness or prove yourself worthy. But Jesus doesn’t operate like that. His mercy is freely given to those who choose to receive it.
When Jesus offered His mercy, He wasn’t hesitant or reluctant. His heart longed to embrace those who would come to Him. His mercy wasn’t a half-hearted offer—it was a love that stretched all the way to the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross reveals the depth of His mercy. He was willing to go as far as to die for us, so that we could receive what we don’t deserve: forgiveness, grace, and eternal life.
Let’s Believe in God’s Mercy
Jesus is aching to gather us, just as He longed to gather the people of Jerusalem. He wants to cover us with His mercy, not because we’ve earned it, but because He loves us. His mercy is a gift, one that’s available to all who are willing to receive it.
We have to choose to believe that God’s mercy is real. We must accept that it is for us, even when we feel unworthy. When we receive God’s mercy, we are transformed. It fills our hearts with gratitude and opens our eyes to the beauty of His love.
Interactive Element: Poll
Have you ever struggled to accept God’s mercy?
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Yes, I often feel unworthy.
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No, I’ve always believed in God’s mercy.
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Sometimes, but I’m learning to trust it more.
A Call to Action: Embrace Mercy
Let’s take a moment to reflect. Is there an area of your life where you’ve turned away from God’s mercy? Maybe it’s time to believe that His love is for you, no matter your past mistakes. It’s time to receive the forgiveness He offers, and to live in the grace He freely gives.
In closing, I encourage you to accept the mercy God offers. Allow it to transform your life. Don’t turn away from what He is desperately offering you. His mercy is real, it’s for you, and it’s available right now.
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