9 DECEMBER 2023

 

Mercy

“His mercy is upon generation after generation.” (Luke 1:50)

It’s one thing to see the need of a person, but quite another to be able to help them with that need. Remember the story of Humpty Dumpty? People saw his need – “he had a great fall” – but no matter how hard they tried, no one could put Humpty “together again”.

One of the characteristics Mary sings about in her song of praise to God is of His mercy or compassion.

In our English language, compassion can be a misleading word because we tend to associate it with the idea of feeling sorry for someone who is in need or suffering in some way.

But when the Bible talks about God’s compassion it means so much more.

When God is described as merciful or compassionate, there is a strong emphasis on it being a visible, outward show of pity. In other words, God sees the need of a person and has the ability and the resources to meet that need.

Mary’s glorifying of God’s compassion in her song is prompted by her awareness that the Saviour of the world is about to be born, One Who in His mercy and grace will forgive our sins.

God saw humanity’s need – it’s slavery to death and sin. More importantly, He had the resources to meet that need – His mercy and His Son Jesus. On the first Christmas night, the Saviour of the world was born, and people have been receiving His mercy ever since:

“Jesus Christ came to our wall,

Jesus Christ died for our fall;

So that regardless of death and in spite of sin,

Through mercy and grace He might put us together again.”

Read through Luke 1:46-50 again. What else about God does Mary sing about?