The Gift of Showing Mercy

 Uniquely You in Christ: (Part VIII)

THE GIFT OF SHOWING MERCY

Luke 10:30-35 (NIV):
30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

There’s an old legend about the piece of property where the Solomon’s temple was built in Jerusalem. According to the story, two brothers owned adjoining farms on the very place where the temple was eventually built. One of the brothers was married and had a family but the other was single. At harvest time one year, the married brother thought how lonely his single sibling must be without a family to keep him company. He thought, “His life must be a lonely one, I will take some of my sheaves from my harvest and add them to his harvest. I cannot give him a wife and children, but I can make his life more pleasant by giving him some of the good things I have.” Well, at the same time, the other brother thought to himself, “My married brother has a family to support and his harvest may not be sufficient to care for his wife and children.  I will share with him out of my abundant harvest.”

When harvest time rolled around, after the brothers returned from the fields to their respective homes, each gathered up an armload of sheaves, took them to the other’s barn, and stacked the sheaves with those already there. In the morning, each brother looked at his larger stack of sheaves and wondered why they had increased during the night. Then one night, when the moon was full, the truth came out.  The brothers happened to meet on the road, with full arms, going to the other’s house to deposit his load of sheaves. And according to the legend, on that place, where love was shown so beautifully, Solomon built his temple.

Of course, this beautiful story is not in the Bible; this is just a legend. But there is definitely an important lesson here. God’s church must be built on the foundation of love. When there is love among God’s people, serving each other sacrificially will come naturally. And in such a sweet fellowship within the church, growth and health are experienced. 

This morning, as we conclude our discussion on spiritual gifts, there are some people in the church who will be capable of demonstrating more love and mercy to others because that’s their spiritual gift. Our key text in Romans 12: 8 says, “If it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”  This gift is defined as the ability to practically and compassionately extend help to someone who is in misery. John MacArthur writes, "Mercy is not the silent, passive pity that never seems to help in a tangible way. It is genuine compassion with a pure, unselfish attitude that reaches out to help."

 

In the Bible, the one who stands out in demonstrating this gift is Jesus Christ himself. In so many occasions during His earthly ministry we find him being moved with compassion because of the sufferings he saw in others. He is the one who gave us the beautiful story of the good Samaritan to vividly illustrate what it means to show compassion on others. The parable was given as a response to a teacher of the Law who asked the question, “Who is my neighbor?” because he was justifying himself from his responsibility of loving neighbors.

I’m sure we’re all very familiar of the story that we don’t have to narrate it again, but we should never miss the important truth that Jesus was trying to teach – The authenticity of our relationship with God is shown by our love to those who are in need. Literally, the reference to the priest and the Levite, both known as religious people but have ignored the man who was suffering sends a very strong message. Religion without compassion is without value and unacceptable before God. In the church, there are individuals who have been gifted to show compassion. Let’s examine together this particular gift:

 

I THE DESCRIPTIONS:

What are some prominent characteristics of someone who possesses this gift?

A. Ability to perceive need or distress: (v.33)

The passage says, “When he saw him, he took pity on him.” The person who has this gift has the ability to sense if there is distress or need in the life of another. He has a sharp, sensitive awareness of someone else’s needs. The priest and the Levite saw the same man, but only the Samaritan had pity on him. Obviously, it was not that hard for the Samaritan to discern that the man lying on the road needed immediate help. But, there are many occasions wherein people who are in deep emotional distress or miseries would not openly seek help. Often, they rather keep everything to themselves. With God’s discernment, believers gifted with showing mercy are able to distinguish them and help them. How about you? Are you sensitive to the needs of people around you? I hope we won’t just walk by while there are people around us who desperately need us. 

B. Ability to remove hurts and bring healing:

Once a need has been identified, the person with the gift of showing mercy will do everything to extend help. Verse 34 shows us what the Good Samaritan had to do – “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.”  Evidently, compassion brings about practical actions. Even the Lord Jesus was compelled to respond because of the compassion he felt after seeing some needs:

Matthew 20:32-34 (NIV):
32 Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
33 "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."
34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

C. Tendency to take an extra mile to help and care:

Another significant truth is the person who possesses this gift would be willing to do more than what is expected to be able to  help. Many Bible scholars suggest that the person who was mugged was a Jew. If this is true, the Samaritan would have been the last person to help because of the hostility between the Jews and Samaritans.  And then examine again what he did – he even placed the wounded man on his own donkey, placed him in an inn, took care of him there, and personally shouldered whatever bills that had to be paid.  How many of you will go through all those troubles?  Many of us would probably not understand why he had to do all that, but for someone who has the gift of showing mercy, everything was necessary to demonstrate the heart of God to another.

II THE DANGERS:

There is no doubt that the merciful has a lot of admirable qualities, but he or she must also be careful of some possible dangers while ministering to others:

A. Failing to be firm and decisive when necessary:

Since compassion compels the merciful to respond, there is sometimes the temptation to help without addressing the cause of suffering. A good example is found in John 8, when Jesus was being entrapped by the Pharisees through the woman who has committed adultery. They anticipated that Jesus would help undermining what the law requires. However, Jesus extended help without ignoring the law. He told the woman in verse 11, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Indeed, you can still be firm while being merciful. Mercy can be meek, but not weak.

B. Tendency to be misunderstood as improper affections from those of the opposite sex:

The second one is really practical. Because mercy does not discriminate, the person who has the gift must be careful when helping those of the opposite sex to avoid being misunderstood. The accusation labeled against Jesus Christ in the popular book, The DaVinci Code with regard to having a relationship with Mary Magdalene is just a good proof that good deeds and be misinterpreted. So, be very careful.

C. Cutting off fellowship with those who are insensitive to others:

The words and actions which reflect insensitivity to the feelings of other people are quickly recognized and reacted to by those with the gift of mercy who tend to close their spirit to these people.  The patience of Christ towards the insensitivity of the disciples can serve as a real challenge. He never withdrew himself from them; instead, he helped them develop the same virtue.

III THE DISTINCTION:

Again, here are some characteristics that separate the spiritual believers who possess the gift of mercy from the carnal ones:

Spirit                                                                                         Flesh

Attentiveness                                                                        Unconcern

Sensitivity                                                                             Callousness

Fairness                                                                                 Partial

Compassion                                                                           Indifference

Gentleness                                                                            Harshness

Respect                                                                                 Rudeness

IV THE DELIGHTS:

If you have been privileged to have this gift, using it faithfully can result to the following:

A. Fulfilling the Law of God:

If you establish the context of the parable, Jesus used this parable to define the word “Neighbor” in the second greatest commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The Jews have so many laws concerning their relationship with other people. Jesus summarized it in this simple statement. In the New Testament this falls under the law to love one another. When we care for others especially those who are suffering, or those who are hurting we fulfill the law of God:

Romans 13:8 (NIV):
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Thus, when we faithfully obey God’s law, our obedience can result to a life filled with blessings.

B.     Serving Jesus:

Whenever we show compassion and minister to others especially to the least of God’s people, Jesus takes them as being done towards him.

Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV):
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Whatever you do to Jesus will never be forgotten. They will be rewarded in God’s appointed time:

Hebrews 6:10 (NIV):
10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

C. Testifying about God:

God who is invisible becomes visible before the world through the love manifested by His people. John reminded the early Christians about this truth:

1 John 4:12 (NIV)
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

It has been said that during the early days of the church, the pagan Romans and the Greeks would look at the Christians and exclaim, “Behold, how they love one another.” Without a doubt, those who have the gift of showing mercy can help so much in establishing a great testimony for God in the community where the church exists.