God is Mercy – 23 October 2022
As we read the story Jesus tells about the two men praying and the power of seeking and offering mercy, we are led to both remember and anticipate the incredible demonstration of humility and mercy when Jesus, though tempted, refused to act inconsistently with God’s promise of mercy for all humankind. He recognized there was no way for real presence and genuine mercy and forgiveness to be expressed unless the wideness of God’s mercy extended even to those who would take his life. . . The first task of the church is to learn how to continually lay down its life for all those included in the expansiveness of God’s mercy. . . –– Rex Kaney
Luke 18:9–14
Notice the background for Jesus’ brief parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. It is addressed to “some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt” (v 9). This certainly sharpens our focus for hearing the story. Can we ultimately trust in our own righteousness before God?
The passage ends in one of Jesus’ sayings that illustrate a major theme in Luke’s Gospel, that of reversal or paradox found in the Christ-life.
“All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble them- selves will be exalted” (v 14). In a society that encourages us to follow our instincts and to go with our gut, the Gospel says that we might want to consider a different path. –– John Fairless
2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18
The apostle’s familiar words resonate: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (v 7). It is by God’s strength and grace that we are enabled to cross the finish line. The stephanos (crown) described here is the laurel wreath presented to victors in Olympic-like athletic endeavors. It is the gold medal, if you will. A life of faithful service to God does not go unrewarded. –– John Fairless
Jeremiah 14:7–10, 19–22
These words are basically in the form of a prayer of repentance from the people of Israel. They acknowledge before God that they have wandered from the path set by God for them to follow. The prayer asks for judgment, not based on their actions—which implicitly demand punishment—but rather based on the name and character of God.
What is the character of God, especially as represented by God’s name? The passage continues to describe God, both by what God is like and by what God is not like. God is Israel’s hope and savior, one who sits on a glorious throne and makes a covenant with God’s people. God is not a stranger, or a traveler just passing through; God is not confused or unable to help.
The passage closes with a straight-up assertion that God is also not like the idols others are prone to worship; God can actually bring things like rain upon the earth, a symbol of God’s life-giving and life-renewing power. Therefore, the people can and must simply hope in the LORD, who is God. –– John Fairless
Rex Kaney was senior minister at Druid Hills United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, until it closed. With graduate degrees from Candler School of Theology, he has served as adjunct faculty at Candler in United Methodist studies.
John P. Fairless is senior minister of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Florida.
Homily Service 43, no. 4 (2010): 83–93.