Mercy Triumphs Over "Judgment"

"Today's Devotion" For June 11, 2005

Read: Colossians 3:12-17; Psalm 51

MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER "JUDGMENT"

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (James 2:12, 13)

According to the way we Americans think, can there be anything more tragic than the death of a child? Certainly we realize that death and life are intertwined. From the moment of conception there's always the reality that death is hovering nearby. With new life, however, we have this sensibility that it's too new to have to die; only those who grow old should die, and even then with great reluctance. When a child's life is cut short, however, because of circumstances that might have been prevented, we cry out with both anguish and anger at the "injustice" of such a death. If there's someone to "blame" we'll find them. If it looks like there's a ready-made culprit we're ready to "hoist them from the highest yardarm."

Such thinking and reaction only serves to intensify the tragedy of the sudden, unexpected, and, perhaps, preventable death of a child. The local news and local talk shows are abuzz over the past two days over the death of a two-year old on a child care van. It seems that while the child was picked up in the morning and transported to the child care center, she never got off the van and no one noticed or raised any questions about it until her mother came to pick her up seven hours later. The child was found on the van, having remained in the van on a very warm day, without anyone knowing. One local talk show host was screaming for the driver's head. For everyone this is a tragedy, yet no one knows as yet if the child was alive when the van arrived at the child care center. There may have been nothing the driver could have done to prevent her death, although he has a responsibility for not having checked to make certain all the children had entered the child care center.

As I listened to the anger and frustration of the "talking heads" and call-in comments, I was torn. Yes, I believe the van driver needs to be held accountable for not checking to make sure all the children got off the van. Certainly, if such negligence led to the death of the child, then the driver needs to accept the responsibility for his negligence and suffer the legal consequences for such irresponsibility. At the same time, I believe that God would encourage us to be merciful, recognizing that, while the driver may not have acted in a fully responsible manner, he also didn't intentionally cause this child's death. Of course, if the full drill is applied, as is so often the case when certain elements smell a fat civil suit, attention will be turned on the child care center's operators. Their procedures and protocols will be examined to find loopholes that might spell "negligence." It won't make any difference that attendance at child care is optional and children often don't come on a daily basis; operators expect them when they see them. "Blood is in the water" and you can see the "sharks" approaching.

James' reminder that "mercy triumphs over judgment" (Js. 2:13) is really important for us in our lives of faith. We're reminded by his words that God, who alone can "judge" our sin and condemn us to eternal damnation, exercises His mercy out of His great love for us. The greatest sign of His mercy comes to us in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior from Sin. He overcame the curse of the Law for us and has brought us, by faith, before the judgment seat of God covered with His righteousness so that we might know the Father's grace and mercy. Paul exhorts the Colossians to live their lives of faith in the grace and mercy of God as they live with one another and share the burdens and challenges of life together. He calls on them and us, as God's chosen people in Jesus Christ, "holy and dearly loved," to "clothe (our)selves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Col 2:12, 13).

The old saying, "There, but by the grace of God, go I," could certainly be applied to the case of the child care van driver. Everyday, somewhere, maybe even to you, something happens to harm another because of someone's negligence, no matter how unintended it might be. It may be thoughtlessness, it may irresponsible behavior with no thought of the consequences, or it may be unforeseen circumstances or mechanical failure that leads to harm coming to another human being; regardless of the circumstances, as God's people we put accountability where it belongs, we take responsibility for our actions, but we temper our responses with mercy, always ready to forgive as God has, for Christ's sake, forgiven us. This is certainly not easy to do, but what a wonderful example we have from our Father in heaven, Who has chosen to redeem us and shower us with His grace, mercy, and love in Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I can understand all the "howling" people do when they feel they've been wronged or an unintended tragedy which we believe could have been prevented occurs. It's in my very nature to seek retribution from those who have been the perpetrators of such wrongs or tragedies. At the same time, however, I find myself forgetting that I, too, am so often guilty of harming others, whether intentional or unintentional. Help me to understand how to apply the mercy and grace You've shown me in Jesus to my relationships with others, and to my reactions and concerns about those who cause pain to others. Above all, Father, guide me by Your Word and Spirit to touch the lives of those in need of Your mercy and grace so that they might know Jesus and receive Your forgiveness. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.