What does the mercy of God look like? It’s the compassion that reaches out to the broken, the undeserving, and the lost. In Luke 6:36, Jesus instructs us to “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” But why is it so hard for us, as believers in Christ, to extend that same level of mercy and compassion to others?
One powerful example is the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge as described in Luke chapter 18 verses 1 to 8. The widow repeatedly sought justice from a judge who cared nothing for God or people. After a long struggle, he finally granted her request, saying, “Because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection; otherwise, by continually coming, she will wear me out.”
Jesus uses this story to teach us about the importance of persistence in prayer and the need for justice, but it also highlights God’s mercy. If even an unjust judge can be moved to act, how much more will our loving God respond to our pleas? Here are three biblical lessons we can learn from this parable:
- Persistence Pays Off: Just as the widow did not give up, we are encouraged to keep seeking God’s mercy and justice in our lives.
- God Cares for the Undeserving: The widow was persistent despite her lowly status. God’s mercy is available to everyone, regardless of their situation.
- Justice and Mercy Go Hand in Hand: God is both just and merciful. He desires for us to reflect that balance in our own lives by extending grace to others.
Representing Christ means showing grace even to those we believe don’t deserve it because Jesus did the same for you and me. His mercy transformed our lives, and we are called to be vessels of that same mercy to others.