In Micah 6:8, the challenge is given to love mercy. But in this world, we are encouraged to focus on merit more than mercy.

In what ways do you see our world driven by merit?

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” —Luke 10:25-29 (NLT)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is Jesus’ answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?”
To understand the parable, we need to understand the question.

What is this man really asking?

Jesus, then, ends the parable with a question.

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” —Luke 10:36-37 (NLT)

Mercy is something we do. And it is something that we should delight in.

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. —Micah 7:18 (NIV)

Why would someone delight to show mercy?

Mercy is good because it reflects God.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. —Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. —Titus 3:4-5a (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. —1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

What do you notice in these verses?

God does what he does because he is who he is. And God is full of mercy.

Mercy is good because it reveals scripture.

Jesus had a “go-to” verse when he ran into people who lacked mercy. In fact, he quoted it on several occasions.

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. —Hosea 6:6 (NIV)

What is this verse saying?

Mercy is good because it rebukes pride.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ —Luke 18:9-13 (NLT)

What does this passage have to teach us about mercy and pride?

When you love merit, you see people as problems.
But when you love mercy, you see people with problems.

How will you love mercy this week?