The Pope has declared next
year a Jubilee year with the theme of mercy.
It got me thinking of how
mercy is God’s great quality beyond reason that is revealed in the
resurrection.
Its unreasonable human beings
live beyond a reasonable lifespan.
Its unreasonable what exists
should come out of what doesn’t exist.
Its unreasonable wrong doings
held against us be lifted when we’re sorry for them.
Or that the power of sickness
be broken by healing, the thrall of evil powers be lifted by deliverance.
Yet… I believe it is so!
I believe in Jesus Christ who on the third day rose again… in the
communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body, and
the life everlasting.
In short I believe in mercy.
This morning Jesus
Christ shows the triumph of mercy over judgement.
The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord Romans 6:23
Death and punishment for wrong
follow reason but God’s mercy goes beyond
reason!
In the letter of James Chapter 2 verse 13 it says Mercy triumphs over judgement and this
is shown to us supremely this morning.
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun
has risen, not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else. That lovely quote from C.S. Lewis is on his
memorial stone in Westminster Abbey.
The Sun has risen this morning but this dawn is a dawning
not just of light for 5th April but of light from the Spirit that
opens inner eyes of faith so we see the Lord and, as Lewis says, once you’re
Christian you see all things in the light of the Lord.
The light of mercy!
The mercy of Easter Sunday overcomes sin
with unconditional joful acceptance. It does so as surely as Jesus forgave his
first broken disciples their denial and betrayal of him.
The forgiveness of sins is inseparable from the
resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. The risen Christ announces the same on Easter night. Peace be with you he says to his broken, guilty followers. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you
forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. John 20:21-23
I believe in the resurrection! I believe in mercy!
God’s mercy triumphing over my judgment of
myself.
The lie that I’m worthless, good for
nothing and unworthy of being God’s child is countered by the blood Jesus shed
for me. Shame has no hold on me once I give the risen Lord my sins.
God’s mercy triumphing over the judgment of
others we’re so prey to. As resurrection children we’re not to be controlled or
held captive to the judging of others. Jesus is going ever before us countering
‘tit for tat’, breaking the judgemental chains that snare us.
The community of the Resurrection, which is
the Church, welcomes every outsider and especially those bound by the chains of
judgment and pain.
For freedom Christ has set us free.
God’s Son came to love and free everyone on
earth who’ll humble their pride, turn and follow him. So it is that we, as
Jesus followers, come to be known by compassion for everyone no matter how
rich, poor, sick or healthy they are.
To believe in Jesus risen is
to believe in mercy.
God’s mercy triumphing over judgment.
The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
Peace be with you… Receive the Holy Spirit. If you
forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun
has risen, not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.
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