LESSON: PSALM 143:7‒12

“Then the King will say to those at His right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” Matthew 25:34

Why does Jesus use the fifth commandment to assess our works of mercy and to point out how men have failed in this respect? 

Those of us who have been called as Christians have obtained mercy through our Lord and have been rescued from God’s wrath and eternal death, receiving in place of all this a gracious God who bestows all that is good upon us in time and eternity. He wants to remind us that we have received all this from God, not only for our salvation, but that we should also regard it as an example to be followed in our own conduct. Because God has shown us mercy that we are not lost in body and soul, we should always act in such a way towards our neighbor that we never come into conflict with the fifth commandment, which basically demands love and mercy. 

We should do this not merely for the sake of the commandment, or any threat of judgment, but because of the example we have received in the exceptionally high and rich goodness that God has manifested to us. This example should not remain without fruit, just as God’s work of redemption is not without power and fruit. 

Although the majority of the hearers may become worse after hearing the Gospel, there must always be some who grasp it correctly and abide by it. For He tells us that He will separate them into two distinct groups. Some of the hearers will prove themselves to have been devout and godly hearers who obey this commandment.

SL.XI.1893,21

PRAYER: Bestow such a measure of grace upon us, O Lord, that our faith overflows in love and goodness towards our fellowmen, for Christ’s sake. Amen.