Walking the Line Between Justice and Mercy
Micah 6:8
Moses Ndahiro, Country Director, World Relief Rwanda
Nathan Nelson, Mission and Community Outreach Specialist, nathann@churchbcc.org
Jesus is the embodiment of absolute justice and total mercy. We are invited to be the same by joining Christ on the walk toward reconciliation.
I. [Do] Justice:
II. [Love] Mercy:
III. [By] Walking Humbly with Our God:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Today’s scripture passage Micah 6:6-8 starts by saying God has shown humanity what is good.
a. What have you seen or experienced this week that demonstrates God is “showing you the good”?
b. Read aloud Philippians 4:8. What are some of the ways you observe goodness?
2. Micah 6: 6 – 8 invites us to an understanding of biblical justice and mercy.
a. How would you define these two?
b. What is justice?
c. What is mercy?
3. There are two names for God that reflect aspects of God’s character:
Elohim, meaning God-as-justice and Hashem, meaning God-as-compassion. Nathan Nelson quoted Rabbi Jonathon Sachs in having written: “A judge punishes, a parent forgives. A judge enforces the law, a parent embodies love. God is both.”
a. Reflecting on this, what ways do you read in scripture or experience God as just or compassionate or both?
b. Reflecting on our own tendencies toward justice or mercy: Are you more likely to be the “by the law” or “too lenient”? With whom are you more condemning or empathetic?
4. In today’s message Moses Ndahiro described the way Jesus washed and dried the feet of all his disciples, even the one who was to betray him. This example of God’s compassion and mercy resulted in a “dirty towel”.
a. How dirty is your towel?
b. If you think your towel is too clean, how might you move from being a spectator to a contributor in the flourishing of God’s presence and work in the world?
5. Is there someone in your life that you would find it difficult to serve? How are you, or might you be called to serve, show compassion, or empathize with someone who is “against you”?
6. How is God inviting you to walk with him this this week? Month? Year?