How God Shows Unending Mercy Series

Fourth Sunday of Easter 2024

The Lord’s mercy endures forever. Let’s be honest, here. Do we really deserve God’s mercy, when all of us who have reached the age of reason have sins in our life, and most of us have serious sins impacting human life, or honesty, financial justice, or our human relationships? No, we are all sinners, every one. Being ordained does not bring with it any special sanctity. In fact, it brings responsibilities that the ministers of any church or congregation can ignore, or offend or neglect. St. Paul was right. All men have sinned, and fallen short. We are tasked with showing the glory, justice and patience of God, and we mess up, sometimes frequently.

St. Peter, in the Acts of the Apostles, makes that a central part of his exhortation. Referring to a man that Christ, working through Peter, had just healed, he testifies that “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well.” He could have added, “and whom I betrayed” to the crucifixion phrase because Peter had sworn and cursed not even knowing Jesus, let alone being his disciple, when a little servant girl asked him about it. But Peter was forgiven, and given the task of leading and consoling his fellow apostles.

You may have noticed that in this season of Easter, our Scripture passages take on a really special character. Yes, we are reminded of sin, but we are taught about the unending, infinite love God shows for us sinners. St. John says that frequently: “we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” We shall be like Christ. And the challenge that implies is that during this life on earth, we must, day by day, acquire that resemblance to Christ with undying devotion. So the Pascua, the Easter season, is here to give us the grace that makes us more like Jesus in our words, thoughts and actions.

We are especially challenged to imitate Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. Jesus literally gave His life for the sheep, for us. The hireling sheep-herder won’t do that. If he sees or hears a threat to the sheep, he bugs out immediately. And the sheep can’t defend themselves, so they are scattered and decimated–stolen or killed.

So let’s take up the task, beginning now, to develop our love for God’s people–the flock of Christ–and pray for ministers to come forward from the flock to care for the flock. That may be a full-time deal. The number of people who need Christ, every year, gets larger and larger. But the number of “lay-down-your life” ministers either remains static, or declines. Just what is the most important question in anyone’s life? It’s simple. The most important question in life is how you will end that life, and to whom will you be committed when this earthly life ends. There are only two possibilities–the arms of the Father, or the fangs of Satan. Pray for more and more to take up the challenge of Jesus and Peter and two thousand years of our leaders, and give their lives full-time to ministry. And, by the way, when they do, thank them and encourage them. Ministers get lots of complaints, but few moments of encouragement. Be a blessing, not just to your own family, but to those who care for your eternal welfare. It is through our hands and mouths that the Lord so often shows His unending mercy.