The Merciful Heart of Christ - Your Nightly Prayer - June 19th
The Merciful Heart of Christ
By Greg Grandchamp
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” - Matthew 9:12-13
SOMETHING TO PONDER
During Jesus’ time here, He was drawn to sin and to suffering like a magnet. And they were attracted to Him. Rather than spending His time with the religious leaders and the “teachers of the law” – He spent His time with the down and out. With those who needed healing of heart, of mind, and of body.
When having dinner at the home of His tax collector disciple – Matthew – “many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.” Of course, this highly offended the Pharisees – the self-appointed keepers and enforcers of the Law. (Matthew 9:10-17) Jesus told them that His desire – God’s desire – was for mercy, not sacrifice.
On that day, lepers were considered unclean under the Law, not to be touched or even allowed to draw close, to the point of being required to yell “unclean” if anyone came near. Yet, when one leper approached Jesus, on his knees in humility, the leper had absolute faith that Jesus could heal him if Jesus was willing. We are told that Jesus responded with compassion and pity, indignant at the man’s suffering. Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man, and then spoke ,“I am willing. Be clean.” (Mark 1:40-41)
It is important that before Jesus healed – He touched. A human touch that the leper had not felt for as long as he had been tormented with the disease. Jesus could have simply spoken the healing words – but His heart broke for the man. And He touched.
Twice in the gospels, we are told that Jesus wept. Once in John 11:35 – the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept” as He was being led to where His friend Lazarus had been laid. Jesus wept that such suffering had to befall those around Him. Then in Luke 19, during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept at what He knew the future held.
Jesus wept because of the torment and pain that sin had caused to befall the world. Jesus wept because of our suffering. The heart of Christ was for us, for our sin and for our suffering.
What would make us think the same is no longer true?
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the peace and freedom that your son’s sacrifice has given us. We know it was our sin that required that sacrifice, and that it was Jesus’ heart and love for us that led Him to offer an end to our eternal suffering. Thank you for your overwhelming mercy and grace. We know, Lord, that your heart is with us, now and always.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Jesus told the Pharisees that He did not come for the righteous, but sinners. Are we following His example?
2. Are we reflecting the heart of Jesus in our lives? Do we display His mercy and grace to those we know to be sinners?
3. What can we do to reach out to those who are hurting and suffering now?
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Tinnakorn Jorruang
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
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