Read slowly: Luke 6:35–36. Notice whose character Jesus gives us as a pattern.
Jesus has been teaching his listeners to love their enemies, do good, and lend without expecting a return. He knows how easily kindness stays within a circle of people likely to appreciate or repay it. He points beyond that exchange to the Father, who is kind even to the ungrateful and evil.
His command to be merciful grows from this picture of God. Mercy is not a reward someone earns by responding well. It is a way God's children learn to resemble him. Henry connects this teaching with reflecting the Father's goodness toward people who have injured us.1 We begin by remembering how patiently God has dealt with our own failures of gratitude.
This can reach an ordinary disagreement. Someone dismisses our contribution, then later needs information we can provide. The temptation is to make them feel the cost of their earlier behavior. Following Jesus may mean answering accurately and helpfully, without attaching a small punishment to the help. We can speak truthfully about the disagreement while allowing mercy to shape our manner.
Ponder: Where am I waiting for appreciation before I am willing to offer a good response?
Practice: Bring one difficult person before God in prayer. Ask for their good, and consider one fitting kindness you can offer without requiring thanks.
Carry This with You: Let the Father's mercy guide the response you choose.
Father, thank you for your patience with me. Teach me to seek another person's good when gratitude is uncertain. Give me truthful words and a merciful heart. Amen.
Continue with the Luke 6 Deep Dive.
Sources Consulted
Source citations
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Matthew Henry, complete commentary on Luke 6, on reflecting the Father's goodness in mercy toward those who have wronged us. ↩
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