In Jesus' prayer of intercession in John 17: Jesus prays, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world but
that you keep them from the evil one.”
As intercessors of Mercy, it is important that we have this same understanding of what we are up against when interceding for another. When the world began it was, "very good", as the book of Genesis tells us. Within this design, man was placed with a specific purpose to fulfill - to be stewards of God's design, bringing it to its ultimate fulfillment - the glory of God.
The world is not the problem, he is, the Evil One. Driven by jealous pride, he sets about to corrupt, by lies and deception, man's understanding of his role in God's good creation.
Man becomes the prodigal son, lured away from the Father's House by the false expectation that he can redesign the world in his own image, for his own selfish purpose, only to find himself destitute and alone - a branch cut off from the tree of life, laying on the ground, withering and dying. Alone and broken, he can only cry out for mercy.
MERCY-SIN-FORGIVENESS
So how are we to understand the true nature of mercy? Look at it this way - a man is traveling along a road that brings him to the edge of a fast flowing stream, cutting him off from the other side, preventing him from getting to his desired destination. There is a bridge connecting to the other side, but on it is a sign which reads, "DANGER! This bridge has been fraudulently built. Do NOT attempt to Cross it". Driven by the desire to reach his own planned destination, he ignores the warning, starts crossing the bridge, which collapses under him, sending him hurtling into the rushing water below.
As intercessors of Mercy, it is important that we have this same understanding of what we are up against when interceding for another. When the world began it was, "very good", as the book of Genesis tells us. Within this design, man was placed with a specific purpose to fulfill - to be stewards of God's design, bringing it to its ultimate fulfillment - the glory of God.
The world is not the problem, he is, the Evil One. Driven by jealous pride, he sets about to corrupt, by lies and deception, man's understanding of his role in God's good creation.
Man becomes the prodigal son, lured away from the Father's House by the false expectation that he can redesign the world in his own image, for his own selfish purpose, only to find himself destitute and alone - a branch cut off from the tree of life, laying on the ground, withering and dying. Alone and broken, he can only cry out for mercy.
MERCY-SIN-FORGIVENESS
So how are we to understand the true nature of mercy? Look at it this way - a man is traveling along a road that brings him to the edge of a fast flowing stream, cutting him off from the other side, preventing him from getting to his desired destination. There is a bridge connecting to the other side, but on it is a sign which reads, "DANGER! This bridge has been fraudulently built. Do NOT attempt to Cross it". Driven by the desire to reach his own planned destination, he ignores the warning, starts crossing the bridge, which collapses under him, sending him hurtling into the rushing water below.
Mercy is about sin, its fault, failure and inevitable consequences. If someone, through no fault of their own, has an accident and is seriously injured, they do not need mercy, they need assistance. It's someone, who by their own fault, brings upon themselves dire consequence, which they are powerless to correct, who needs mercy, forgiveness and rescue.
Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not
sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mtt: 9:13
In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the older brother has no mercy in his heart for his brother. He could have stayed home, obeying the rules of the house as he did. It was his brother's choice to run off and make a total mess of his life. He deserves what he got.
Their father loves both his sons. He teaches his sons that love begets mercy, for it is the only way to have both of them with him. One does not deserve mercy, they need mercy, for only mercy can save the sinner from the consequences of their sins.
To be an effective intercessor, one must acquire the mind and heart of the Father. This is the goal set before us in this Year of Mercy, To Be Merciful Like the Father. During this Jubilee Year, let us examine our hearts to see who we most resemble, the older brother, or the Father?
PRAYER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Lord Jesus, what love filled your heart when the young man approached,
asking the way to eternal life.
What sadness you felt when he turn away,
unable to accept your invitation to come and follow you.
Jesus, you alone are the truth. You alone are the way that leads to the fullness of life.
Yet few are they who seek and find you.
Strong are the forces pulling at the hearts of our young people.
Shrewd and clever is the persuasion that lures them away from you.
Champion of the young, how deep is the desire of your heart
that they should come to know you.
What blessing they will experience when you fill them with the Holy Spirit.
You will enlighten their minds with your Truth.
You will inflame their hearts with love for God.
You will heal their wounds and restore the innocence of their youth.
With you in them and they in you their lives will be transformed.
They will become instruments of peace and signs of hope
for this troubled world of ours. (Mark 10:17)
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