Let Mercy Prevail

LET MERCY PREVAIL

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: John 5:1–9

Supporting Texts: Matthew 9:36; Luke 7:11–15; Mark 1:40–42; Romans 9:15–16; Hebrews 4:16

INTRODUCTION:

There are moments in life when our efforts, prayers, and even faith seem insufficient. At such times, what sustains and lifts us is the unfailing mercy of God. Mercy is the divine compassion that overrides judgment, delay, and disqualification. Throughout the ministry of Jesus, He demonstrated this mercy by healing, restoring, and showing compassion to many who didn’t meet the usual conditions of faith or righteousness.

Mercy is the voice of God that speaks when every other voice has gone silent. It breaks protocols, defies logic, and releases divine help to those who need it most—even when they don’t deserve it. Jesus often healed people not because of their faith, but because of His heart of mercy. He saw their condition, was moved with compassion, and acted.

In this sermon, we will examine biblical cases where mercy prevailed over judgment, faithlessness, and helplessness. We will understand how to position ourselves under the cloud of divine compassion and call upon the mercy of God in our own situations.

1. MERCY OVERRIDES FAITHLESSNESS.

Sometimes people do not have the strength or knowledge to believe, yet God reaches out in mercy.

a) The man at the pool of Bethesda.

Jesus saw his helplessness and healed him without the man expressing faith (John 5:1–9).

b) Mercy seeks the broken.

God is attracted to the broken-hearted and lowly (Psalm 34:18).

c) God’s mercy is not earned.

It flows from His nature, not our merit (Romans 9:16).

d) Compassion activates miracles.

Jesus often moved by compassion to perform healings (Matthew 14:14).

Biblical Example: The paralytic at Bethesda—John 5:1–9.

2. MERCY RESTORES THE UNWORTHY.

There are those society labels as undeserving, yet Jesus reaches out to them.

a) Mercy ignores disqualifications.

Jesus healed lepers, outcasts, and sinners who had no societal worth (Mark 1:40–42).

b) Mercy bypasses human judgement.

Others may condemn, but God restores (John 8:10–11).

c) Mercy gives second chances.

Even the thief on the cross received salvation at the last moment (Luke 23:42–43).

d) God’s mercy is renewed daily.

It never runs out (Lamentations 3:22–23).

Biblical Example: The leper healed by Jesus—Mark 1:40–42.

3. MERCY RESPONDS TO TEARS.

God is moved by the tears of the afflicted, even when they lack faith to pray.

a) Tears speak louder than words.

God hears the silent cries (Psalm 56:8).

b) Mercy sees beyond appearances.

Jesus recognised deep pain behind the widow’s tears (Luke 7:13).

c) Compassion produces divine intervention.

Jesus raised the widow’s son purely out of mercy (Luke 7:11–15).

d) Mercy restores joy.

Where there were tears, God brings rejoicing (Psalm 30:5).

Biblical Example: The widow of Nain—Luke 7:11–15.

4. MERCY PRECEDES REPENTANCE.

God’s mercy often draws people to repentance by first showing them kindness.

a) God is rich in mercy.

His patience gives room for change (Ephesians 2:4).

b) Kindness leads to repentance.

God draws people not by condemnation but by grace (Romans 2:4).

c) Mercy gives space for redemption.

It suspends judgment to give opportunity (Isaiah 55:7).

d) Mercy softens hard hearts.

It melts resistance and brings people to God.

Biblical Example: The woman caught in adultery—John 8:1–11.

5. MERCY IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

God’s mercy is not limited to a few; it is available to all who seek it.

a) Come boldly to the throne of grace.

Mercy is for the asking (Hebrews 4:16).

b) Mercy triumphs over judgment.

It changes negative verdicts (James 2:13).

c) God's mercy covers generations.

It is covenantal and far-reaching (Luke 1:50).

d) Mercy gives hope to the hopeless.

It is the anchor of the afflicted.

Biblical Example: Blind Bartimaeus crying for mercy—Mark 10:46–52.

CONCLUSION:

Mercy is not weakness; it is the strength of God expressed in compassion. Jesus’ healing ministry reveals a pattern of divine love that flows even to the unworthy, the helpless, and the forgotten. His mercy reached out when faith was absent, when sin was present, and when hope had failed.

Let us live conscious of God’s mercy, calling upon Him in times of need. We must also become conduits of that mercy to others—showing compassion, patience, and forgiveness. When mercy prevails, destinies are restored.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Lord, let Your mercy speak for me where my efforts have failed.

2. Father, show me compassion in my low moments.

3. Lord, let mercy override judgment in my life and family.

4. Father, release Your healing mercy over my body and soul.

5. Lord, help me to show mercy to others as You have shown me.