Author: Nathaniel Colt

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Read: John 9:24–34

The man declared, “I was blind, and now I can see!” His healing was the reason for his rejoicing and powerful testimony. Jesus specializes in fixing broken lives. The man confirmed his condition of blindness to the Pharisees. Now that Jesus had healed him, he could celebrate. He was blind, but now he could see. That was still his story, even the second time the Pharisees questioned him.

We can have a similar testimony to the world as Jesus brings healing to our life. When things get hurt in our life, it’s an opportunity for Jesus to heal and for us to tell others about it. We know that when we ask for Jesus’ mercy, He always hears us and knows what is best. Jesus’ healing of our brokenness can lead others to Him as people see our fixed life and heart. His work in us is our testimony of what Jesus can do.

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Read: John 9:13–23

Sometimes, it’s not easy to understand God’s plan. We often think He should heal in a certain way or restore broken lives in a way that makes sense to us. The Pharisees certainly felt this way. According to them and what they understood from the law of Moses, Jesus shouldn’t have healed this man on the Sabbath. They couldn’t figure out this simple act of mercy that Jesus had shown the man, so they couldn’t rejoice in the man’s healing.

God’s offer to people is mercy. But, mercy is sometimes difficult for us to understand because we look at everything through our understanding. We look to see if someone deserves mercy before we give it, or we blame someone’s brokenness on their choices. God gives mercy as a gift when we ask. Our world is full of people who need compassion. Even when it doesn’t make sense to others, we should show mercy just like Jesus did.

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Read: John 9:1–12

A man who had been blind his entire life survived by begging people for help. Jesus’ disciples wanted to understand the reason something like that might happen. They assumed it was his parent’s sin or his sin. Jesus quickly moved the conversation to the truth. The man would bring glory to God because Jesus would heal him. Mercy was what the man needed, and Jesus gave it to him.

Jesus showed him mercy by healing him. Mercy and healing were the things that changed this man’s life forever. When you see someone sick or hurting, pray at that moment instead of passing them by or wondering what is wrong with them. Maybe God will lead you to be part of meeting their need. Showing mercy can change their life and help them see Jesus.

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Read: Genesis 50:14–21

Joseph had experienced many wrongs against him. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery, he was wrongly accused, and he was thrown in prison. He could have been angry and bitter, even after God made him second-in-command over all of Egypt. Instead, Joseph generously provided for his brothers and their families, even after their father, Jacob, died. Joseph knew that God used those terrible times to save his family, so he could forgive the terrible things his brothers had done.

The way Joseph’s brothers treated him was terrible, but Joseph was able to forgive them. How was he able to do that? Joseph continued to love God and others even when he was a slave, in prison, and in a place of power. He knew that God’s plan and purpose worked through his brothers—even when they sinned against him. Maybe our forgiveness to others when they hurt us will be the very thing that helps them see Jesus.

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Read: Matthew 18:23–35

In this story, a servant owed the king millions of dollars. The man begged for forgiveness for the debt he couldn’t pay back, and the king showed him mercy by forgiving his debt. The servant must have felt so relieved as he left the king. But then, he remembered that another servant owed him a much smaller amount of money. He should have forgiven that debt, but he didn’t, and he tried to make that servant pay him. The king heard about the terrible actions of the ungrateful servant and had him thrown in prison until he repaid his debt.

This parable shows us what happens when a person refuses to forgive others. Sadly, people hurt other people. You can probably think of a time when you were hurt by someone else, whether on purpose or by accident. It can be hard to forgive, and sometimes we may think we don’t have to. Jesus died on the Cross so our debt could be paid. Because of His gift of forgiveness to us, we should forgive others.

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Read: Matthew 18:21–22

Peter asked Jesus to give him the limit on how many times he had to forgive someone. Peter thought seven times was a good number. But Jesus made the point that we should keep on forgiving when He said we should forgive seventy times more than Peter said. It doesn’t matter how many times someone needs forgiveness from us. When we are forgiven by God, He expects us to do the same and keep on forgiving others.

There should be no limit on our forgiveness because Jesus has no limit of forgiveness with us. He generously forgives our sins, and we should show that same generosity to others. When others sin against us, let’s follow these steps. We should think about how God has forgiven us, ask God for help, and then forgive. Forgiving others frees both us and them.

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Read: Colossians 3:12–15

How should we live as people God has made holy? These verses from the Book of Colossians answer that question. Because God has made us holy, we need to live differently from those who don’t live for God. We also need to forgive others and be understanding and kind when they mess up. When Christians act this way, people want to know why they act like this and be part of it. What a great way to show Jesus’ love to the world!

We live in a world where it seems like people are constantly angry at each other. It’s easy to see the sin in other people. But, when we are one of God’s “holy people,” as it says in Colossians, we live differently from the world. Instead of getting mad at others, we are patient and gentle, and our words are kind. Christians should be humble, remembering that God’s mercy has saved us. Forgiveness is what sets us apart as believers and helps the world see the incredible love of Jesus.

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Read: Luke 15:11–32

In the Book of Luke, we read one of Jesus’ most famous stories, or parables. The Parable of the Lost Son is the story of a son who asked for his inheritance from his father early and wasted it. The son lived such a wild life that when he ran out of money, he even considered eating pig’s food when he was hungry. He decided to go back home, but he didn’t think his father would accept him. But when his father saw him coming, he ran to his son, hugged him tightly, and threw him a banquet.

This story is a picture of God’s mercy to us. When we ask Jesus to be the Lord of our life, we will receive His mercy. Even when we make bad choices, God is waiting for us to turn back to Him. When we turn away from our sin and toward God, He rejoices and celebrates. Why does He do this? Because God loves us so much!