Compassion
We have been looking at James 5:7-11
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Here on Good Friday we close this series with the final clause: you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
It might seem odd to talk about compassion or mercy on Good Friday. We look up and see a cross. Upon that cross hangs the Son of God.
Beat, Spit Upon, Nailed, Mocked, Pierced.
His being there is the world’s greatest act of mercy. We read in Isaiah 53:5-8
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
The purpose of the Lord, the heart of the Lord, is His mercy. It is His abounding grace. The Lord loves His creation. So much so that He would rather see His Son crucified than you damned. As we go about today I encourage you to meditate on these Scriptures.
And now we wait….but not without hope……Sunday is around the corner….
It is Finished
See you Sunday Morning
- Pastor Dan