Edited by Jim McCrory, Thursday 28 August 2025 at 11:12
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When I was a boy, I once stood before an eagle in the zoo. Its piercing eyes fixed on me, and for a moment, I felt as though it could see straight into my soul, exposing my thoughts and past life. The intensity unsettled me.
Years later, with age and reflection, I realised it was simply a bird, a magnificent creature, yes, but limited in its abilities, despite its keen eyesight.
Not long after, I came across these words from Jeremiah, which stirred deep thought within me:
“I, the LORD, probe into people's minds. I examine people's hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.” —Jeremiah 17:10 (NET)
In earlier years, such a verse would have filled me with unease. The idea of God knowing every hidden corner of my heart was daunting. But now, I take comfort in it. God knows me fully: a sinner, yes, but one trying his best.
When Jesus walked the earth, He made clear what His standard of judgment would be:
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ … ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’” —Matthew 25:34–40 (BSB)
This teaching is echoed in a remarkable story from Capernaum. A Roman centurion, moved by love for his servant, sent Jewish elders to ask Jesus for help. Their plea was based not on rank or wealth, but on kindness:
“He is worthy for you to do this for him, because he loves our nation and even built our synagogue.”
Yet the centurion himself, sensing his own unworthiness, sent word to Jesus:
“Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof … but say the word, and my servant will be healed.” —Luke 7:6–7 (BSB)
Here was a man of the occupying army; an unlikely candidate for mercy. And yet, Jesus marvelled at his faith and granted his request.
It leaves us with much to ponder. Judgment, mercy, faith, love—how different they are from the layers of rules and programs that religious systems often burden us with. Jesus’ words ring clear across time:
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” —Matthew 9:1
In retrospect, I am grateful for the fact that God has left the judging to Jesus. If it was left to humans...well...
Something I am Grateful For
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When I was a boy, I once stood before an eagle in the zoo. Its piercing eyes fixed on me, and for a moment, I felt as though it could see straight into my soul, exposing my thoughts and past life. The intensity unsettled me.
Years later, with age and reflection, I realised it was simply a bird, a magnificent creature, yes, but limited in its abilities, despite its keen eyesight.
Not long after, I came across these words from Jeremiah, which stirred deep thought within me:
“I, the LORD, probe into people's minds. I examine people's hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.”
—Jeremiah 17:10 (NET)
In earlier years, such a verse would have filled me with unease. The idea of God knowing every hidden corner of my heart was daunting. But now, I take comfort in it. God knows me fully: a sinner, yes, but one trying his best.
When Jesus walked the earth, He made clear what His standard of judgment would be:
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ … ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’”
—Matthew 25:34–40 (BSB)
This teaching is echoed in a remarkable story from Capernaum. A Roman centurion, moved by love for his servant, sent Jewish elders to ask Jesus for help. Their plea was based not on rank or wealth, but on kindness:
“He is worthy for you to do this for him, because he loves our nation and even built our synagogue.”
Yet the centurion himself, sensing his own unworthiness, sent word to Jesus:
“Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof … but say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
—Luke 7:6–7 (BSB)
Here was a man of the occupying army; an unlikely candidate for mercy. And yet, Jesus marvelled at his faith and granted his request.
It leaves us with much to ponder. Judgment, mercy, faith, love—how different they are from the layers of rules and programs that religious systems often burden us with. Jesus’ words ring clear across time:
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
—Matthew 9:1
In retrospect, I am grateful for the fact that God has left the judging to Jesus. If it was left to humans...well...