Shouting for Justice but Pleading for Mercy
May 20, 2012 3 Comments
When did you feel the greatest need to be avenged?
“One of the most publicized events of the last decade was the execution of a Texas woman who had been convicted of murdering two people 14 years earlier. During her time in prison, she became a Christian. The evident genuineness of her conversion elicited calls from all over the world to spare her life. Even the Pope pleaded with the Governor of Texas to intervene. In the end, those who sought justice for the crime she committed prevailed. With a lethal cocktail running through her veins, Karla Fay Tucker “coughed twice, let out a soft groan, and fell silent.
The debate raised by this case was gripping enough, but what I found to be most fascinating was the intense contest that was unfolding outside the premises where the execution was scheduled to be carried out. Both the proponents as well as opponents of the death penalty camped outside, each side trying to drown the other’s voices. The news of the execution was greeted by a boisterous cry of triumph from those who had so vehemently sought justice for the crime. Others were left wondering where, when, and how mercy applies when the life of an individual hangs in the balance.
This drama was a classic representation of the two most disparate poles of justice and mercy. How are the guilty to be spared in cases where absolute justice is administered? If there are no shortcuts, no bribes, and no turning of a blind eye against evil, what hope is there for those wedged between the jaws of justice? The tension between justice and mercy is a reality with which we all live, and depending on the circumstances, our hunger for vindication is only matched by our plea for mercy and forgiveness.”
Hebrews 10:30
For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
The Abortionist’s Story
A time came in my life where all that I wanted at that moment is to have someone who wronged me go punish. Forgiveness evaded my heart for quite some time, actually, for a long time. I find it so hard to forgive people whom in my eyes have obviously committed mistakes.
I remember one time when I was with J-ann at the house of Ate Monica. We were watching Rated K. Korina documents the life of a woman who lived her life as an abortionist. As I was watching the show, I remember to be very vocal about my dislike of the woman. I remember saying “tama lang yan, kinakain na siya ng konsensya niya. Ano pa maggagawa ng paluhod- luhod niya?”. J-ann then answered “Grabe ka naman Juls. Di mo ba makita ang repentance sa eyes niya? Klaro gud kaayo na naconvict na siya sa mga naggawa niya.” I don’t actually remember my response, but I know deep in my heart that I wanted Justice to be served. The story of that women came to a conclusion. She died of a disease. If my memory serves me right, it was a complication in her lungs.
I don’t know about other people, “Christians” like me. Di ko alam kung nafefeel din ninyo ang nafefeel ko paminsan – minsan. Kung naglolong din ba kayo for certain people na mapunish, di man ng law ng tao pero ng law ni God.
Justice vs. Mercy
Justice will Prevail!
Human as we are, we more likely to shout for justice. Ang dami-daming nag rarally for people to be punished. And yes, they are guilty of their sins. But how about mercy?
It seems that because we know all too well that God is Just, the other facet of God as a Merciful King is slowly forgotten.
We shout for Justice not on the streets but in our hearts, pero when we turn to God, we ourselves are pleading for Him not to smite us. We are pleading for His mercy. This is one aspect where I saw the hypocrisy of man, even my own hypocrisy.
“I want God to always forgive me, but I want if I can with my own hands, serve Justice.”
Matthew 18:21 – 35
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
23 ”Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
This is one account in the Bible, where Mercy should have been given, but instead, Justice was served because one person refused to show Mercy.
We must remember that when Judging others…
Matthew 7: 1 Judging Others
“Judge not, that you be not judged.2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Justice and Mercy
James 2:13New International Version (NIV)
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
The Cross is the best example of Mercy’s triumph over Justice. Hell demanded justice. All sins should be payed. Christ paid the price. Justice is served but it was God’s Mercy and love to His people that worked all throughout Salvation.
We Need Mercy and We Should Freely Give Mercy
“Part of the reason why we are disinclined to recognize our own need for mercy may be due to the fact that our clamor for justice, however impassioned, is almost always skewed in our favor. Narrow indeed is the path to the dark recesses of our own hearts. But there the light of the gospel must shine, and our strong sense of justice demands that we agree with God’s assessment of our true condition. Nothing short of the kind of repentance that produces humble love within those who turn to Him can ever point humanity towards their identity and purpose. Without a clear glimpse of our own sinfulness, not even God can measure up to our lopsided, self-righteous standards.”
Bring Home Message: If Mercy is given both the offended and the offender can be restored. But if Justice is served without Mercy, the offended will be vindicated but the offender will just be condemned.
Ending Question:
Based on what you have heard with I shared, what do you think is the wisest response when someone has wronged you? If hindi nangyari sa iyo, what do you think is the proper response when one of your friends has been wronged?
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Life Group Material
Prepared by Ma. Julianne Kristine Cosning with excerpts from Justice and Mercy, Newsletter from RZIM, Slice of Infinity.
Being a member of God’s elite force is never easy. With a heart for missions, you could already consider yourself a secret agent and a super spy. Although, these euphemisms are all just understatements of who you really are.
