We have spent this week looking at different aspects of Christ's kingship.

Today we'll explore how the Lord is merciful in nature toward us and the world.

May you come to treasure the mercy of God in your life as we take time today to explore it.

He is truly so good to us, and it is fitting for us to celebrate him in all of his goodness.

Welcome to the First 15 podcast. Our scripture for today comes from Matthew 9 verse 13 scripture says, go and learn what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. The ministry of Jesus is laden with acts of mercy.

From acts of healing and forgiveness to meals shared with those entirely undeserving of his attention,

his heart was filled with mercy for his people.

Have you ever thought that God might delight in showing you mercy?

Have you ever thought that he might actually enjoy stepping into your world

and offering that which you are wholly unworthy of.

Does a good father loathe the times he needs to step in and forgive a child?

Does a good father always force his kids to tow the line of perfection and offer only harsh words when they inevitably fail.

The very coming of Christ was an act of mercy.

We who were left to try and find relationship under the law

discovered our inability to live up to God's standards.

When left to live by our own strength, we quickly reveal ourselves to be made of dust.

But Jesus' coming demonstrated a part of God's heart we still find hard to believe today. God's desire is to step into the lives of his

children and offer compassion and forgiveness where there is only failure and guilt. His desire is to pick us up

even after we've made a mess and comfort us, while at the same

time empowering us to live differently.

We serve a merciful king.

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