He Absorbs What We Deserve

5 Scriptures that Show the Mercy of Christ

“The blood of Jesus has a mighty tongue, and the import of its prevailing cry is not vengeance but mercy.”

Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (pg 111)

Today’s devotional reading led me to contemplate the Mercy of God. I usually think about the Mercy of the Father, but not Christ.

When I read the above quote, a picture flashed before my mind: Jesus on the cross, bloodied and wounded, and the wrath of God behind him, while we at the foot of the cross are shielded. And this scripture came to mind:

No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.

John 10:18

It was Jesus’ choice to go to the cross; no one forced him. So one thing led him there: mercy.

Since “his mercies begin afresh every morning” (Lam 3:23 NLT), it changes how you live, knowing that God is constantly in a state of mercy for you. His lens through which he sees you is mercy and love, even when you sin, even if you hate him.

What amazing compassion this is!

None of us are capable of such, loving our enemies constantly; we can merely aspire and pray to be like this. Oh, you might have mercy on a cute little child, or a puppy, or an elderly lady, but someone who hates you? To be honest, it is at the most very difficult.

Yet, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Elsewhere in the bible it says of Christ’s mercy,

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Matthew 9:13

The fifth scripture is a story from the Gospels, how a plea for mercy stopped Jesus cold in his tracks:

Those ahead of Jesus told the man to shut up, but he only yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought over. When he had come near, Jesus asked, “What do you want from me?”

He said, “Master, I want to see again.”

Jesus said, “Go ahead—see again! Your faith has saved and healed you!” The healing was instant: He looked up, seeing—and then followed Jesus, glorifying God. Everyone in the street joined in, shouting praise to God.

Luke 18:39-43

Jesus will drop what he’s doing for a plea of mercy. His ear is inclined to our heart, and like a mother who wakes every few moments to check on her newborn, Jesus is ever watchful to our every whimper.

Even if you do not feel it, it is true.

I love how Charles Spurgeon puts it: his supply is so much more than our need. Whatever our need is.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for having mercy on us

today we lift up our needs to you

and like the once blind man cry

Father, have mercy on us!

Amen.