Roman culture did not hold the quality of showing mercy in
high regard. Historically, the Roman culture
was guided by law and justice and they tended to believe that showing mercy was
weakness, not a virtue. They did not care for mercy at all. In fact, one Roman
philosopher of the day said that mercy was a disease of the soul.
When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount in a Roman-occupied territory,
He said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7
NIV). The Sermon on the Mount showed what Jesus thought of mankind and
humanity; it should be a reflection of our worldview.
Seriously, If justice were served, none of us would be here.
Mercy is important because it shows the connection between our humanity and the
love of God. It also provides "teaching moments" for our faith
development/walk.
Mark 12: 28-31 28 One of the teachers of the law came
and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he
asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is
this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind
and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as
yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
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