May 4 - Justice and Mercy

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Samuel 8,9; 1 Chronicles 18,19; Matthew 21

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 Our God is consistently just and also
consistently merciful! 

Sometimes it’s hard to understand holy wars in the Old Testament and God’s righteous wrath in the New Testament. Our readings today have both, but, in each case, they are tempered with gripping illustrations of God’s tender mercies. How can these two godly qualities, justice and mercy, co-exist?

God’s blessing of David and Israel, the nation he governed, included victories in battle. It’s difficult for a pacifist like me (I’ve never really been in a fight, not counting siblings) to understand the bloodshed among the armies that opposed David. I have to remind myself that these nations, and the individuals within them, had the opportunity to make the God of Israel their God. Some did and, because of God’s mercy, were spared judgment. But the ones who defied God faced the promised consequences of their defiance. 

Yet, right in the middle of these accounts of God’s judgment executed by His appointed leader, King David, is this moving story of David and Mephibosheth. Wanting to honour the memory of his friend, Jonathan, David extends kindness to his last remaining heir. Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, was often overlooked because of his crippled feet. But David does not dismiss him. Instead he offers him all of Saul’s estate and invites him to become an honourary member of the King’s family, including all family dinners. Mephibosheth is shocked by the King’s kindness, especially since his grandfather was David’s mortal enemy: What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me? (9:7,8). What an amazing picture of God, our King, noticing you and I, despite our brokenness, and inviting us to be part of His family and joint heirs in His Kingdom!

While the Old Testament often portrays God’s judgment and wrath, Jesus, in the New Testament, often shows us His mercy and grace. But today’s reading reveals that Jesus is not some milk-toast hippy pacifist, as some would like Him to be. Here He is riding into Jerusalem as King, commanding the praise of His followers. Shortly after that, He is seen overturning tables and driving money changers out of the Temple. Follow that with a cursed fig tree and some pointed parables condemning the religious rulers and you have some glimpses into God’s righteous wrath. But remember that in less than a week’s time, Jesus, God’s only real Son, will be taking God’s judgment upon Himself, extending to all of us His incredible mercy and grace. “Lord, I acknowledge that You are consistently just, and that my sins must be paid for. But I am deeply grateful that You are also consistently merciful, and that You personally paid the wages of my sin with Your own life.”