No Mercy

By Michael Haley, Senior Pastor, Cross Creek Church, Fountain, CO

Read Matthew 5:38-42.

“No mercy” is a statement you might hear from the Cobra Kai Dojo way back in the original The Karate Kid movie as well as in the new Netflix hit, Cobra Kai. Mercy (withholding deserved punishment) and grace (giving undeserved gifts) are both counter-cultural values, precisely the point Jesus makes in His sermon. Jesus is driving home the fact that mercy is a true mark of a mature Christian. Rather than seeking retaliation, we as believers should seek to help those who hurt us and extend mercy to those seeking to be the source of our suffering.  

While the world screams, "No mercy" or "Mercy is for the weak," we, as Christians, can demonstrate God's love by showing mercy and grace. Click To Tweet

Look at verses 40-41 again. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. The tunic would be the equivalent of them taking your t-shirt, and Jesus says to give them your cloak as well. The cloak was the expensive outer garment that, in many cases, would double as their blanket. Jesus is saying to not only give them your t-shirt but give them your North Face jacket as well. 

Extending grace and mercy should be an overflow of the grace and mercy Jesus has given us. 

While the world screams, “No mercy” or “Mercy is for the weak,” we, as Christians, can demonstrate God’s love by showing mercy and grace. Generously giving grace and mercy should be byproducts of what Jesus has so generously given us. 

Is there a neighbor or co-worker who seems to be pushing you to want to retaliate? Are they putting undue pressure or demands on you? What if you decided to go the extra mile and show them mercy and grace? Remembering we live for a higher purpose allows us to take the higher ground. 

Reflective Questions:

1. How can you extend mercy and grace to someone today?
2. When someone attacks you, how can you remind yourself not to retaliate?
3. When was the last time you really thanked God for His mercy and grace? Take some time today to soak in the reality of all He has done for you. 

Memory Verse:

Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. Matthew 5:42 (NKJV)

Prayer:

Dear God, You are full of grace and mercy. I am thankful that you have blessed me with so much that I do not deserve, and you have blessed me with not receiving so much that I do deserve. Help me to also be full of grace and mercy with others. When it is not easy to turn the other cheek, please give me the strength.  

Related Scriptures

I Thessalonians 5:15; I Peter 3:9; Proverbs 20:22; Proverbs 19:17; Hebrews 13:16; Psalm 37:21; I John 3:16-18