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Just this past month, on October 2, the trial of former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger came to a close. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of Botham Jean, a man who lived in the same apartment complex. On September 6, 2018, returning home from work, Guyger walked into Jean’s apartment, for some reason thinking it was hers. Presuming he had broken in, she drew her firearm, and shot him as he sat on his couch. The tragedy of this news was further compounded by the racial component – she being white and a police officer, and he, the victim, being black.

But something stunning and bittersweet and beautiful happened at the sentencing last month. Botham Jean’s younger brother, Brandt, took the witness stand, though he hadn’t originally intended to, and told Guyger that he forgave her, that he held no ill will towards her, that he wanted the best for her, and that the best thing for her would be for her to give her life to Christ. Then he asked the judge if he could offer Guyger a hug, which he then did. Guyger wept into his shoulder, apologizing profusely. The mainstream media studiously edited out his comments about Christ, but there was no way of editing out that living image of mercy and forgiveness.

This morning’s message about Thanks-giving is in three parts. My part is about gratitude as a response to overwhelming mercy. The most obvious biblical example – one very familiar to us, is that of the vision of Isaiah, recorded in chapter 6 of his prophecy. Standing in the presence of infinite holiness, and feeling the weight of abject guilt for his sin (though there’s no record of Isaiah sinning), he was overwhelmed with relief and joy when Adonai declared his sin forgiven. And in overflowing gratitude, Isaiah eagerly offered himself to do God’s bidding.

Less well-known, but a really cool story, is tucked away in 2 Kings chapter 6. At that time, Israel was frequently under attack from Syria (Aram). But the prophet Elisha kept warning Israel’s king, Joram, every time Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria was planning an ambush against him, and he would hide and escape. It was like Wyle E. Coyote trying to catch the Roadrunner. It got so frustrating for Ben-Hadad, that he was convinced there was a spy in his midst. When he found out that it was because Elisha knew his every move, he sent an army to kill Elisha. This is where our reading picks up, 2 Kings 6:15.

Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them…”

 

When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Strike this people with blindness, I pray.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he brought them to Samaria.

This massive Syrian army, every soldier now blind and utterly helpless, is led by hand, right into the capital city of Samaria, where they are now captives.

When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.

Imagine how terrified they were when their sight returned, and there they are, surrounded by an Israeli army with swords drawn, poised to kill them! They knew they were as good as dead. But the way this plays out is startling. Let’s continue.

Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” He answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken with your sword and with your bow? Set food and water before them that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” So, he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel.

Imagine being captured, facing the business end of a sword, deserving to die; yet instead, your captors lower their weapons, invite you to sit down, and proceed to prepare a lavish feast for you! Talk about overwhelming! Such a course of action was unheard of in the ancient world! But look what it accomplished – never again did those bands of marauders come into Israel.

Receiving mercy, undeserved mercy, can dramatically change a person. Hearts can be softened. And when it’s you extending mercy, you change things for the better!

So how does this relate to us? Simple.

Romans 5 says that God reconciled us to Himself through Messiah Yeshua – get this – while we were still sinners and still His enemies! There was nothing attractive or loveable about you. You had nothing to offer God; and there was nothing He needed.

So why did Adonai go to such lengths for us, if we were so unattractive – so filthy with sin and hating Him? It is because His love isn’t like ours. It doesn’t depend on reciprocity. It isn’t tainted with insecurity or selfishness.

What will you do with this knowledge? How will you respond to overwhelming mercy? Hopefully, with gratitude. Hopefully, to give thanks at all times, and in meaningful and tangible ways. Isaiah offered himself immediately to serve God in any way he could. The Aramean soldiers repented of their hostility towards Israel, and peace ensued.

Let me close with one thing you must do, and one thing you must not do. The thing you must do is forgive. Forgive, because you have been forgiven. Pay it forward. Don’t waffle about this, and don’t make excuses for holding grudges. Whatever you need to forgive pales in comparison to that for which God freely forgave you.

The thing you must not do is treat God’s mercy lightly. Don’t trample on the fact of His kindness. Don’t be cavalier about Grace. If you really believe that you were deserving of eternal judgment, and that through Messiah God rescued you from the dominion of Satan and from Hell and the Lake of Fire, and reserved a place in Heaven for you, then do something to show gratitude for it. His kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). But let’s commit to making it authentic repentance.