Healing Rays of Righteousness

When I am burdened or distressed by difficult events and prone to question God’s presence and power, I remember the story of blind Bartimaeus shouting out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mk.10:47). The story continues with Jesus stopping in his journey and asking Bartimaeus what “mercy” he was needing and Bartimaeus makes his plea for the healing of his blinded eyes.

The trusting faith of Bartimaeus in believing that Jesus was both infinitely powerful and endlessly merciful always challenges and encourages my own belief and faith in Jesus as my merciful Lord and Savior.

I remember reading the historical story of a mother who approached the emperor, Napoleon, seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed the same crime twice and justice demanded death. “But I don’t ask for justice,” the mother explained, “I plead for mercy.” “But your son does not deserve mercy,” Napoleon replied. “Sir,” cried the woman, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all that I ask for.”  The emperor responded, “Well then, I will have mercy.” And he spared the woman’s son.

This story encourages me to listen more intently to the apostle Peter as he launches into a thankful hymn of praise to God for his gift of mercy. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. (1 Peter 1:3-4).

To say “In his great mercy” is key to understanding the more complete, grander meaning of our salvation. With these words, Peter reminds us that our “new birth” comes to us not as a reward but as an undeserved gift.

Many years earlier, David wrote a psalm of praise which suggests and expands our appreciation for God’s mercy. “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. … “The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” (Psa. 145:8-9, 14). This psalm is so reassuring and refreshes me with grateful joy whenever I read it.

David also wrote a prayer psalm which appeals to God’s mercy. “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psa. 86:15). This truth was certainly confirmed in Mark’s story of Bartimaeus’ plea to Jesus for mercy.

This verse also inspired Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863) to write the hymn, “THERE’S A WIDENESS IN GOD’S MERCY,” which is one of my many favorite hymns. Here are the words. Read them slowly and meditate on them. I think verse three is a particularly important truth for us Jesus-followers in today’s confusing, religiously violent world. (Voices Together, p.156)

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea.

There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty.

There is welcome for the sinner, and more graces for the good.

There is mercy with the Savior, there is healing in his blood.

But we make God’s love too narrow by false limits of our own,

and we magnify its strictness with a zeal God will not own.

For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind,

And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.

If our love were but more simple, we should rest upon God’s word,

And our lives would be illumined by the presence of our Lord.

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress – 6/18/26