Hello, dear blog readers.
If you woke up this morning and are reading this article, it means that God's mercy is renewed every morning. And that’s the only reason we are still alive and have not disappeared from this earth. God constantly gives us opportunities to find love and goodness.
Praise the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Praise the God of gods, for His mercy endures forever.
Praise the Lord of lords, for His mercy endures forever
Psalm 136:1-3
Grace is so important to us that God led the psalmist to mention it 26 times. The Lord wants our thoughts and feelings to be saturated with His goodness and mercy towards us.
An interesting fact is that the Old Testament speaks more about mercy than the New Testament. Even though the criterion of the old covenant was the law, people could never fully fulfill it, so they especially needed God's mercy.
Parable of the Called and the Chosen (Luke 14:16)
Many were invited.
It was not for nothing that Jesus told this parable. God's mercy is clearly shown here. When God gives a feast, it will be a feast for the whole world. Jesus said that whoever comes to Him will never go hungry.
But what is this food that can remove hunger forever?
And whoever believes in Jesus will never thirst. But what kind of drink is this?
(Luke 14:17) And when the time for supper came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Go, for everything is already ready.”
Important!
It was in the evening, which is why the Lord's Supper is called "supper." She strengthens you in the dark hour.
When a servant comes and notifies you that you are among those invited, you are called not to give, but to receive. Nothing is required of you other than to come and take part in the meal.
Purpose of the parable
What is Jesus' purpose in telling this parable?
To the feast
Jesus wants to convey to humanity that God's mercy never fails. Justification in Christ is ready, peace is ready, health is on the table. The Holy Spirit says: “Come, everything is ready.” Not in the distant future, but now.
They were all invited and no one forced them. It all starts with an invitation.
(Luke 14:18) And they all began, as if by agreement, to apologize. The first one said to him: I bought land, and I need to go and look at it; please forgive me.
Who buys real estate first and only then goes to look at it? What a ridiculous excuse.
(Luke 14:19) Another said: I have bought five yoke of oxen and am going to test them; please forgive me.
Who buys first and checks later? A very weak excuse.
(Luke 14:20) The third said: I got married and therefore cannot come.
None of these excuses can serve as a valid reason, but serve as an example for us, because they were all invited, but found different reasons that look unconvincing.
(Luke 14:21) And the servant returned and reported this to his master. Then, angry...
Don't forget about those things that make God angry. We know what could cause God's wrath in the Old Testament, during the age of law.
Canaanite woman
Matthew 15:22-28 “And behold, a Canaanite woman came out of the place and cried out to Him, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, son of David, my daughter is cruelly raging.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came up and asked Him: let her go, because she is screaming after us. He answered and said: I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And she, coming up, bowed to Him and said: Lord! help me. He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said: yes, Lord! but the dogs also eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said to her: O woman! great is your faith; let it be done to you as you wish. And her daughter was healed at that hour.”
What can anger God in the New Testament?
This is when people do not accept the abundance of blessings that we have from God. When He gives and they do not take.
(Luke 14:21-22) The owner of the house said to his servant, “Go quickly through the streets and alleys of the city and bring here the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind.” And the servant said: Master! Executed as you ordered, and there is still room.
What guests did God invite to this great feast?
Invites to a feast
Among us there are many poor, crippled, lame and blind, defective people.
Isn't this God's mercy? Of course, God always has extra space. He always has a place for each of us. First and foremost, God wants us to be spiritually rich.
(Luke 14:23) The master said to the servant, “Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come, so that my house may be filled.”
To convince is to force, to make a certain effort.
God invites you to taste His blessing before you get pinched. When something happens to you, when you are forced to do it. Many people say: “I would never have come to Church if something had not happened to me.” Don't wait for this to happen. God is not to blame for what happened. At the same time, many of us do not understand that God's hand protects us every step of the way. This world stubbornly refuses to acknowledge that God's hand guards each of us and His mercy draws us to Him.
Blessed are the merciful
Because God desires to express Himself through man, He expects His believers to also show mercy. To Rome. 12:8 speaks of those who show mercy with joy. The note on this verse says:
This refers to those who show mercy by being sympathetic and helpful. Showing mercy is not a natural generosity, but a quality that is developed through transformation.
In conclusion, let's read another famous verse - Matt. 5:7 : “Blessed are the merciful, for mercy will be shown to them.” These words are part of the constitution of the kingdom of heaven, proclaimed by the Lord on the mountain at the beginning of His ministry and known among Christians as the “Sermon on the Mount.”
The notes on this verse in the Recovery Version reveal another aspect of the mercy that believers show to others.
Note 1: To be righteous is to give a person what he deserves, but to be merciful is to give a person what he does not deserve. For the kingdom of heaven we need to be not only righteous, but also merciful.
Note 2: To receive mercy is to receive something we do not deserve. If we are merciful to others, the Lord will show mercy to us (2 Tim. 1:16, 18), especially at His judgment seat (James 2:12-13).
God's Grace in the Story of David
After many years of wanderings and persecutions, David finally became king.
David and Jonathan made a covenant
King Saul, who was pursuing him, died. David was friends with Jonathan, the son of Saul. They made a blood covenant, meaning that everything David had belonged to Jonathan and vice versa. They were like brothers to each other.
Jonathan died along with his father Saul.
David looks thoughtfully at the scar on his wrist and says, “Is there anyone else from the house of Saul that I would show him the mercy or kindness of God.”
Important!
( Luke 24:27 ) On the road to Emmaus, Jesus told Cleopas that everything written in the Bible pointed to Him.
David is a type of God.
Jonathan is God's gift, a type of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again.
So, David, who personifies God, made a covenant with Jonathan (Jesus - from the house of Saul). The house of Saul is the house of the flesh (type). We all come from the house of the flesh. If God and man had entered into a covenant directly, people would have immediately broken it.
A comment!!
Man is the weak link, so God made a covenant with Jesus Christ, who represents all humanity.
God's Favor Shown to the House of Saul
So there are two parties to the covenant—two infallible individuals.
(2 Samuel 9:3) And the king said, Is there any of the house of Saul? I would show him God's mercy; And Ziba said to the king, There is a son of Jonathan lame in his feet.
A comment!
The nurse, fearing retribution from David, tried to escape and fell on the boy, as a result of which he became lame on both legs.
One day we all fell short of God's glory. And today God says: “Are there those who have not yet accepted Christ into their hearts? Is there anyone on whom I can shower all My kindness and mercy? Anyone? My heart is full."
(2 Samuel 9:4) And the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lodebar.
This is a place where God's word is not present. People are trying to hide in city blocks, surround themselves with an abundance of newfangled things, but inside there is emptiness.
(2 Samuel 9:5) And king David sent and took him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
God's favor was shown to Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan
David and Mephibosheth
And Mephibosheth came to David and bowed down, and David said to him: Do not be afraid.
These are the first words with which God addresses every repentant sinner.
(2 Samuel 9:7) And David said to him, Fear not; I will show you mercy for the sake of your father Jonathan.
Addressing each of us, God says: I will definitely show you My mercy for the sake of Jesus Christ.
(2 Samuel 9:7) And I will restore to you all the fields of Saul your father, and you will always eat bread at my table.
(2 Samuel 9:13) And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king's table. He was lame on both legs.
Mephibosheth remained lame until the end of his days. This means that you cannot be perfect. Even after being saved, your Christian life is far from ideal. Come and eat. When a person eats, he gains strength.
Mephibosheth and David
God's mercy: for His sake forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you
(Acts 13:38) Let it be known to you, men and brethren, that for His sake the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
When Paul preached, he never used the term repentance.
Have people repented?
Of course, repentance is a change in thinking.
Repentance is not just words. You can say the words, but remain the same inside.
(Acts 13:39) And in everything in which you could not be justified by the law of Moses, everyone who believes is justified by him.
Forgiveness of sins has instant effect
Our excuse has no expiration date.
A comment!
The Messiah will bring eternal righteousness that cannot be undone by sin. God's righteousness far outweighs your sin. Knowing this, you will not want to sin.
You say: “But before I sit down at the table, I must make sure that I am leading the right lifestyle.”
This is a big mistake. When you sit down at the table, you will find exactly the dish, those vitamins that you lack at the moment. Believe in Him and receive forgiveness of sins, and God's mercy will be upon you.
“Let us approach with confidence...”
The Lord's mercy is not given in measure. Grace is given by God not occasionally, not periodically, but constantly. THIS IS A DISTINGUISHING FEATURE OF HIS ESSENCE. As He counsels us in Hebrews 4:
Hebrews 4:14-16 “Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold [our] confession firmly. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things like [us], yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
We need mercy. There is no one who does not need it. Let us come boldly to the throne of grace so that we may receive what we need. Let's open our hearts to God. Let us ask Him for mercy and compassion for us, as David did in similar situations:
Psalm 4:2 “Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.”
Psalm 6:2 “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak.”
Psalm 9:14 “Have mercy on me, O Lord; look at my suffering from those who hate me, “You who lift me up from the gates of death.”
Psalm 24:16 “Look upon me and have mercy on me, for I am lonely and oppressed.”
Psalm 29:11 “...hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; God! be my helper."
Psalm 31:9, 17 “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in distress... Show Your bright face to Your servant; save me by Thy mercy."
Psalm 50:3 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the abundance of Your compassions blot out my iniquities.”
Psalm 86:16 “Look upon me and have mercy on me; Grant Thy strength to Thy servant, and save the son of Thy servant."
Psalm 123:2-3 “Behold, as the eyes of servants [are] directed toward the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a servant toward the hand of her mistress, so our eyes are toward the Lord our God, until He has mercy on us. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we are filled enough with contempt; Our soul is quite filled with reproach from the arrogant and humiliation from the proud.”
None of those who sought God's mercy left empty-handed. And the following examples confirm this:
