Part 6: Jesus is Righteous and Merciful

Jesus has mercy toward the sinner.
One time the religious teachers of Jesus’ day brought in a woman caught in adultery.
“They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do You say?’ They were using this as a trap for Him.
“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger. When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, ‘If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
“At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’
“‘No one, sir,’ she said.
“‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.'” (John 8:3-11)

Jesus has pity toward the misled masses.
He called people to righteousness and confronted sin, yet was merciful and compassionate to those who came to Him for forgiveness. His heart ached even for those who would not come to God. In speaking of the city of Jerusalem, He said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34).

Jesus’ love had no boundaries.
God can see the hearts of people. He does not only regard outward appearances. Jesus’ coming was a better way of showing us what God is like. He traveled around Israel, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting those in despair. The book of Isaiah had predicted a leveling and straightening: it did not make any difference whether people were rich or poor. (Isaiah 40:1-5) Through Jesus, God’s love was extended to all those willing to humble themselves and come to Him.