Bible Study with the Cincotti’s – Mercy Came a Runnin’ – 12/21/2025
Today’s Bible Study, Authored by Arthur Cincotti.
Listen to our Bible Study Discussion at: Mercy Came A Runnin’ Podcast
Or watch the Video Zoom Session of our Study on YouTube:
Mercy Came a Runnin’
“You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.” Ex. 15:13
Grace and mercy stand side by side in our Christian vernacular. As we understand these words from a birds eye view, grace is receiving something that you don’t deserve. It’s like getting an awesome gift on Christmas when you know that your were on the naughty list. Salvation is the free gift that God makes available to us; “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Eph.2:8. Mercy, in contrast is not receiving what you do deserve. The implications of that are vast. In either case, this is what we call, “unmerited favor.” Today we will look at mercy in all its’ majesty and wonder.
Do we need mercy? Apparently the Orthodox church think so because they ask for mercy forty times consecutively in their liturgy. So much for vain repetitions. The word in Hebrew is, “hesed”, and is also translated: lovingkindness, goodness, pity, and favor. One would cry out for mercy when rightly coming under the expectation of some harsh punishment that can’t be born. A prisoner being tortured would certainly cry out for mercy. A defendant in a legal case, found guilty, may ask the judge for mercy if they lack the means to make restitution. A boxer, clearly mismatched and badly defeated may ask for mercy in the final round. When we find ourselves in harsh circumstances beyond our control and our ability to bear up, whether self inflicted or happenstance, we would be inclined to cry out for mercy.
Globally, the wrath of God is rightly poured out on all unrighteousness. Sin is high treason against God and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rm. 3:23. This is justice. Jesus stepped in and took the blow of God’s full wrath, so that we wouldn’t have to. He didn’t ask the Father for mercy. This is called vicarious atonement. Jesus received the punishment for our sins, we don’t, that’s mercy. This is why we sing, “peace on earth, good will toward men” on Christmas. Clearly there is not peace on earth between men, but the wrath of God is satisfied because of Messiah and we now have available to us, peace with God.
Mercy may also be applied to a debt. In The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, (Mt. 18:21-35) Jesus tells of a great debt that was owed by one servant who was not able to pay. The servant, “fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me and I will pay you all.’” The master had more than patience, he had mercy and forgave the entire debt. But that servant quickly came across a fellow servant who owed him a small amount. He beat his fellow servant, who also asked for patience, and had him thrown into prison until he paid the debt. Jesus, on two occasions, quoted Hos. 6:6 to the Pharisees, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than brunt offerings.” The law precipitates justice, but mercy stands alone. “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Js. 2:13
On another occasion the Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery before Jesus and tempt Him to render judgment against her. The proper penalty was death by stoning. Jesus couldn’t endorse mercy unless He was willing to demonstrate it. Seeing their duplicity, He says to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Jn. 8:7. When her accusers departed the scene one by one, Jesus ask her, “Has no one condemned you?…Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Mercy is the great leveler. In this scene the Pharisees were forced to show mercy, but Jesus extended it willingly, out of compassion.
In the Beatitudes, Mt. 5:7, Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Jack Hayford’s commentary on the word for “merciful” says, “Eleemon is a kind, compassionate, sympathetic, merciful, and sensitive word, combining tendencies with action. A person with this quality finds outlets for his merciful nature. The English word ‘eleemosynary,’ or charitable, philanthropic relief, finds its origin in this word.” This Beatitude hearkens us back to Mc. 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Notice justice and mercy used in such close context. If you “do justly” you should never have need of mercy, but as we have seen, none do. The Pharisees thought themselves righteous. When we understand our need for mercy, we will be more inclined to offer it.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life.” is the familiar verse from Ps. 23:6. This is a proclamation based upon the truth statement in verse 1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” I shall not want because His goodness and mercy follows me and causes my cup to run over. Even in the valley of the shadow of death. This is the power of mercy. Anyone who has received or extended mercy in the natural will sense a power that is supernatural.
How could we speak of mercy without considering the mercy seat atop the Ark of the Covenant. So sacred is this place that two cherubim guard it. “And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat.” Ex.25:20. It goes on to say, “And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat.” God speaking to us is drenched with mercy. We deserve His silence and His wrath, yet we receive His attention, compassion and affection.
“Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22-23
Assuming this to be true, what would be the best approach to gather up the new mercies that are given us every morning; should we ignore them, should we gather indiscriminately, or should we carefully collect mercy according to our need? God’s mercy towards us is personal, just as His love is. Jesus says, “For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
Mt. 6:8. We should be discerning as to how we gather His mercies at the start of our day. They are hand picked for what we are facing that day. Therefore, when we encounter that trial, hardship, or tortured soul, mercy is already there waiting for us.
When the “lost son” of Lk. 15:11-32 finally, “came to himself,” and began that long shameful journey home, someone was watching down the road for him. “But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” vrs. 20. The father’s name must have been Mercy. I don’t even think he really heard the boy’s pitiful confession which he most likely rehearsed all the way home. “the father said to the servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry, for this son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” vrs. 22-24. The son was not prodigal, for prodigal means extravagant. It was the father who was extravagant with his love.
Mercy runs!
“he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.” Ps. 32:10
“Mercy and truth have met together,
Righteousness and peace have kissed.” Ps. 85:10
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