Texts: Psalm 119:137–144; Isaiah 1:10–18; 2 Thessalonians 1:1–4, 11–12; Luke 19:1–10

Introduction

A young boy once fell into a deep, muddy pit while playing. He struggled to climb out, but the mud was too slippery. People passed by – some shook their heads, saying, “He should have been more careful.” Others stood at the edge giving advice, but no one helped. Then a kind stranger came, climbed into the pit, lifted the boy onto his shoulders, and carried him to safety.

That’s what mercy looks like. Mercy doesn’t just talk about love — it reaches down into our mess and lifts us out. In the same way, God’s mercy in Christ reaches into the pit of sin to rescue us.

Beloved in Christ, grace and peace be unto to you.

Today, we shall be reflecting on the theme, “Mercy as the Way to Salvation,”. This will  draw our attention to the heart of God. Mercy is God’s undeserved kindness toward people who can not save themselves. Without mercy, there can be no salvation because salvation is never earned — it is received as a gift.

From the psalmists and prophets to the apostles and the very words of Jesus, the Bible shows that every step in our redemption begins when God stoops down in mercy to rescue us

What Is the Meaning of Mercy?

Mercy is a characteristic and action that flows from the very nature of God. On the human level, it can best be described as one’s thoughtful consideration of the condition of a fellow human being. It became the expected attitude and action of the people of Israel toward one another, and this expectation was later passed on to the Church, becoming a chief tenet in the lifestyle of believers in the Lord.

Our Lord Jesus Christ made mercy an essential part of His manifesto in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” — Matthew 5:7

In the Bible, mercy is often seen as an action taken by the strong toward the weak, the greater toward the lesser, the rich toward the poor, the insider toward the outsider, those who have toward those who have not, and above all, the Righteous One toward the sinner.

Mercy, as given by God, is the foundation of forgiveness. It expresses His faithfulness and steadfast love.

Let us consider some acts of God’s mercy recorded in Scripture:

He delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians.

He gave manna to them in the wilderness (Exodus 16:31–35).

Jesus was always moved with compassion and showed mercy to those who were hurting. Throughout the Gospels, His mercy is seen in various ways:

He cleansed lepers (Mark 1:41).

He taught the ignorant multitudes, was moved with compassion, healed the sick, and fed the hungry with a boy’s small lunch (Matthew 14:14–20).

He gave sight to the blind (Matthew 20:34).

He made the lame walk (John 7:2–9).

He raised the dead (Luke 7:2–15).

He even stopped amid a crowd to invite Himself to the house of a despised tax collector, Zacchaeus, showing mercy and acceptance (Luke 19:1–10).

Mercy Calls for Repentance

Through Isaiah 1: 10-18, God rebuked His people who performed sacrifices while their hearts were far from Him. He called them “Sodom and Gomorrah,” exposing their hypocrisy. Yet, in verse 18, His tone changes:

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

God’s justice reveals our sin, but His mercy offers cleansing. Repentance is the step we take toward Him — but mercy is the hand God extends first.

Let us see here, Mercy that Strengthens and Glorifies — 2 Thessalonians 1:1–4, 11–12

Paul praises the believers in Thessalonica for their growing faith and perseverance under persecution. He prays that God will make them “worthy of His calling and fulfil every good purpose.”

This is God’s gracious power — His merciful work that enables believers to remain faithful. Salvation is not a human project; it is the merciful action of God who strengthens, sustains, and glorifies Christ in us.

3. Mercy in Action — Luke 19:1–10

The story of Zacchaeus gives us one of the clearest pictures of divine mercy. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, hated for his dishonesty and collaboration with the Romans. Yet when Jesus saw him in the sycamore tree, He said,

• “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

Before Zacchaeus made any promises, before he returned a single coin, Jesus offered friendship and acceptance. Mercy came first — and that mercy melted Zacchaeus’s heart.

He responded, saying,

• “Look, Lord! I give half of my goods to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Jesus replied,

• “Today salvation has come to this house.”

Mercy opened the door; repentance and faith walked through it.

How People Saw Zacchaeus Before He Met The Lord

Before his encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus was seen as:

1. A Corrupt Tax Collector — a collaborator with Rome, exploiting his own people for profit.

2. A Sinner — people despised him, saying, “Jesus has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” (Luke 19:7)

3. A Social Outcast — his small stature mirrored how lowly people considered him in society.

But after meeting Jesus, everything changed. His repentance and restitution proved the power of mercy to transform a sinner into a new creation.

Application

1. Personal:

No matter how deep our failure is, God’s mercy still reaches us. Like the boy in the pit or Zacchaeus in the tree, we can not lift ourselves out. But when we confess and believe, mercy lifts us up.

2. Community:

The Church must be a house of mercy — welcoming sinners, comforting the hurting, and restoring the broken rather than condemning them.

3. Society:

God’s mercy must be seen through our compassion — feeding the hungry, forgiving offenders, and standing up for the poor and marginalized. Mercy is not a weakness; it is God’s love in action.

Conclusion

Before meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus was known as a greedy sinner and traitor.

After meeting Jesus, he became a living testimony of grace, repentance, and transformation.

Salvation begins and ends with mercy — God’s righteousness exposes our need, His call invites us to repent, His Spirit gives us strength, and His Son opens the door.

Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, trusting that the same Jesus who said, “Today salvation has come,” still speaks to every heart ready to receive Him.

Closing Prayer

Merciful Father, thank You for reaching down to lift us from the pit of sin. Cleanse our hearts where we are stained, strengthen us where we are weak, and teach us to show mercy to others. May our lives bring glory to Jesus Christ through whom salvation has come.

Amen.

Rev. Sylvanus Yao Kpodonu.