Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. -Hebrews 4:14-16
How do we obtain mercy and grace? Among our neighbors, we demonstrate that we are worthy. How? We show that these sins, weaknesses, failures are an aberration — not our norm. We have strayed temporarily and are very sorry for the harm we’ve caused, promise not to do it again, and live on social probation for a time.
God is not like this. We obtain mercy and grace, not by demonstrating our worth (since we aren’t worthy), but by agreeing that we are in need. Our high priest has walked in our shoes and understands where our weakness comes from, and instead of judging us, he offers us grace and mercy. Our sins are judged, but we are saved. We are no longer identified with our sins.
Is this justice? In some way, mercy is always unjust, because the perpetrator is forgiven. The only requirement is to show mercy and forgive those we meet, who are as needy as we were.
“He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you,
but to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.”
-Micah 6:8
God gives us blessings more that we can imagine, but they are not meant to be kept to ourselves, but to be shared as He directs. His mercies are new every morning. He doesn’t expect us to hoard yesterday’s mercies to get us through today. He wants us to get what we need when we need it, directly from him. Otherwise, our wellbeing depends on ourselves, which is what got us into trouble in the first place.