Lord, Have Mercy

Every day we hear more about ISIS, terrorism, and torture. Every day we are faced with new realities regarding race, class, and politics. Every day we hear about first responders losing their lives in the line of duty.

Every day.

It feels daunting. It feels overwhelming. It feels like there is little hope.

When we feel this way we need to remember something. We need to remember the humanity of Jesus. I like this tweet…

We lose touch with our humanity when we deprive God of his humanity. #advent

— Eugene Peterson (@PetersonDaily) December 11, 2014

Part of what causes us to lose hope is the loss of our connection with humanity. Advent is this great reminder of the fact that God took on flesh in God the Son.

When we remember the humanity of Jesus, we are reminded that he is not one who cannot empathize with our world. We know when we cry out, “Lord, have mercy!” He hears us as one who says, “Yes! Mercy, mercy to you! I know your pain, your heartache, your joy, your world. Have hope! Mercy, mercy to you!”

There’s something beautiful about the reality that when we draw near to God we draw near to one who knows what we’re going through. He is not aloof or uncaring. He truly empathizes with us. He truly walks alongside us in love, grace, and mercy.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 ESV)

It’s Advent. Draw near to the one who dwelt among us.

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