Topical Bible: The Mercy of God: Manifested in the Sending of Christ

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The mercy of God is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, profoundly manifested in the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ. This divine attribute is not merely an abstract concept but is vividly demonstrated in the redemptive plan for humanity. The sending of Christ is the ultimate expression of God's mercy, providing a means for salvation and reconciliation with Him.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The anticipation of God's mercy through a coming Savior is woven throughout the Old Testament. The promise of a Redeemer is first hinted at in Genesis 3:15, where God speaks of the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent's head. This promise is a beacon of hope and a testament to God's mercy, even in the face of human disobedience.

The prophets further illuminate this promise. Isaiah 53:5-6 speaks of the suffering servant who "was pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities," highlighting the merciful provision of a substitute to bear the sins of many. Micah 5:2 foretells the birthplace of this ruler in Bethlehem, emphasizing the divine orchestration of His coming.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these promises in the person of Jesus Christ. John 3:16 encapsulates the essence of God's mercy: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse underscores the sacrificial nature of God's mercy, offering His Son as a gift to a fallen world.

The incarnation of Christ is a profound act of mercy. Philippians 2:7-8 describes how Jesus "emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." This humility and obedience highlight the depth of God's mercy, as Christ willingly took on human form to accomplish the work of redemption.

The Purpose of Christ's Coming

The purpose of Christ's coming is intricately linked to God's mercy. In Luke 19:10 , Jesus declares, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." This mission statement reflects God's merciful desire to restore what was lost through sin. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son (Luke 15) further illustrate God's relentless pursuit of sinners, driven by His compassionate mercy.

Romans 5:8 affirms, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This sacrificial act is the pinnacle of divine mercy, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to those who were once enemies of God.

The Ongoing Impact of God's Mercy

The mercy of God, manifested in Christ, continues to have a transformative impact on believers. Ephesians 2:4-5 states, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved." This passage highlights the ongoing work of God's mercy in the lives of believers, bringing spiritual life and salvation.

Titus 3:5 further emphasizes that salvation is not based on human deeds but on God's mercy: "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." This underscores the unmerited nature of God's mercy, freely given to those who believe.

Conclusion

The sending of Christ is the ultimate manifestation of God's mercy, fulfilling ancient promises and providing a means of salvation for all who believe. Through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, God's mercy is made accessible, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life. This divine mercy continues to transform lives, drawing believers into a deeper relationship with their Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:78
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak Though the ...
... good will toward men." His glory is manifested in it ... be given in the world, of God's
displeasure at ... of these two resplendent jewels, justice and mercy, of love ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xii for what the.htm

Submit Yourselves Therefore to God. James 4:7.
... that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own ... of the benevolence of God,
in the offer of mercy. ... that will do it, when he sees God manifested in the ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/submit yourselves therefore to god.htm

Of Predestination
... decrees is his own glory, to be manifested on men ... he might erect some glorious fabric
of mercy and justice ... left to the absolute sovereign will of God, to which ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xv of predestination.htm

Mirrors of God
... to communicate itself and to be manifested and beheld ... all His dealing, and especially
in His sending of Jesus ... his sin is a revelation of God's mercy, love, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/mirrors of god.htm

"The Tender Mercy of Our God"
... The first coming of Christ has not at once manifested everything; the dayspring
is not the noon ... I do delight to think of this tender mercy of God to those ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the tender mercy of our.htm

General Service for the Festivals of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
... I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, shewing mercy unto thousands ... the lightof Thy
divine glory, O Christ the God, hath gone forth and manifested Thy light ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter i general service for.htm

On Christian Liberty
... is the saving doctrine concerning the mercy of God in ... our life is hidden with Christ
in God, when Christ ... gloriously appear we shall also be manifested with him ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 20 on christian liberty.htm

Christ, to Perform the Office of Mediator, Behoved to Become Man.
... Luke 1:79), that he came "to perform the mercy promised to ... declares that the grace
which is now manifested by the ... those who deny that the Son of God would have ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 christ to perform.htm

P??dobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and ...
... confessed that it cannot be more confined, and less clearly manifested, than under ...
not on]y would men be impiously ungrateful for the mercy of God, but be ...
/.../chapter 16 paedobaptism its accordance.htm

Appendix V in the Directory.
... dislike to the observance of Holy Days manifested itself. ... "And humbly, and earnestly
to supplicate for mercy in the ... thanks for the great Love of God in sending ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/appendix v in the directory.htm