Day 26 :: Undeserved Mercy
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots.
Luke 23:34
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” has probably been one of the most striking verses in the bible to me so far as a Christian. Even after Jesus had been mocked, beaten, and nailed on a cross to die in an undignified and cruel manner he still asked his Father to show them mercy, undeserved mercy.
The Collins dictionary describes undeserved as “the person who experiences it has not earned it and should not really have it.” The cross is the perfect example of this. We did nothing to deserve being spared from an eternity separated from our Creator. On the crucifixion, Jesus bore the brunt of God's wrath in order to free us from the penalty of our sins. He intercedes on our behalf so that we may benefit from God's completely undeserved mercy rather than his just and well-deserved retribution.
“He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors”
Isaiah 55:12
What a blessing!
Before I became a Christian, holding onto grudges was something I had always struggled with (and probably still do…) When someone had screwed me over and shown no compassion I would automatically write them off and plot my revenge. This would always bring out a real nasty side to me that I wasn’t ashamed of showing.
Isn’t it good that our Father isn’t like that? Not only did he show mercy to the Romans who had abused and murdered his Son, he provided humanity with the greatest undeserved mercy - salvation through his Son Jesus Christ.
“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:5
Why is this something we then forget and take for granted? We should be remembering his compassion as we walk with him in our everyday life. Thanking him daily for this gift and asking him for more of this undeserved mercy through his spirit to help turn away from whatever is keeping us from living a holy life.
When we are born again, we too become an answer to Jesus’ prayer “Father, forgive them.” So, let’s go and boldly share the good news so that others can know the love of Jesus!
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”
2 Timothy 1:8-9
Passages to read: Luke 23:34 / Romans 3:9-31
A thought to remember: We have done nothing to deserve God’s mercy but we should now live in light of knowing Jesus as our saviour.
A question to ask: What is stopping you from living a holy life remembering Gods undeserved mercy?
A song to sing: Son of Suffering