Prayer for a Heart of Mercy: Meditation from Matthew 9:10-13 #167

Discover the transformative power of mercy and compassion as we explore the teachings of Jesus in this week's Guided Christian Meditation. Inspired by Matthew 9:10-13, we reflect on Jesus' profound message to prioritize mercy over sacrifice, challenging our own perceptions and actions toward others. Join us on a journey of mindfulness through breathing and muscle relaxation exercises, setting the stage for a deeper connection with the spirit of mercy that Jesus embodies. Are we truly prepared to communicate with others as Jesus would, extending love and grace rather than judgment?

Throughout this episode, you'll be encouraged to engage with thought-provoking questions that evaluate your capacity for compassion. We invite you to integrate this meditation into your daily life, reflecting on its teachings and seeking further biblical insights on mercy. Our host, Pastor Robert Young provides an insightful review of our meditation process, ensuring you are well-equipped to embark on this spiritual journey. Take this opportunity to cultivate a heart of mercy and let it guide your interactions throughout the week.

Transcript

Pastor Robert Young: 0:00

Welcome to this week's Guided Christian Meditation. If you're new to the podcast and may not understand our process, then check out episode number 164. Dan and Sheila from the Deep Dive give an excellent review and explanation about our process. You can also receive our digital e-book explaining the process, entitled Getting Started with Christian Meditation. Email or text us for a free copy today.

Pastor Robert Young: 0:33

Today's meditation is entitled Prayer for a Heart of Mercy. Our scripture is from Matthew, chapter 9, verses 10 through 13. . First, proper worship of God requires us to be completely involved and free from sin in mind, body and spirit. Let's prepare our hearts by asking God to forgive us of sin that might be in our lives.

Pastor Robert Young: 1:17

Now we can enter into worship of our Heavenly Father by focusing on Psalms 100, verses 1-3, where it tells us to shout for joy to the Lord all the earth, Worship the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful songs. Take a moment to lift up your voice in praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, who is worthy of all honor and glory.

Pastor Robert Young: 2:09

On Matthew, chapter 9, verses 10 through 13, let's prepare our mind by closing our eyes and taking a deep breath as we invite the presence of God to fill us. Now take a deep breath in for a count of seven. Hold the breath for a count of five and slowly exhale for a count of seven. Repeat this process.

Pastor Robert Young: 2:45

Now let's prepare our bodies with muscle relaxation exercises. We will simply tense each muscle group for three seconds and then release the muscle. As always, don't hold your breath for this portion of the meditation. Let's begin with the calves. Lightly tense the calf muscles for a count of three, now release. Moving upward to the hamstrings, the quads and glutes, Lightly tense for three seconds, now release. Moving to the abdominals, chest and back areas lightly tense for three seconds, now release. Finally, moving to the arms and shoulders, lightly tense these muscle groups for three seconds, now release.

Pastor Robert Young: 3:51

Now that we have prepared our minds, our bodies and our spirit, let's begin to meditate on Matthew, chapter 9, verses 10 through 13, where it says; While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.

Pastor Robert Young: 4:18

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? On hearing this, jesus said it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means. I desire mercy, not sacrifice, for I have not come to call the righteous but sinners. In this passage, jesus is talking directly to the religious leaders of Israel and asking them where is your sense of mercy and compassion? He tells them that he would rather that they have mercy and compassion versus the self-righteous acts that the leaders were doing righteous acts that the leaders were doing.

Pastor Robert Young: 5:16

It should not be lost on us that Romans 3, 23 tells us that all have sinned and fall short of pleasing God. We, as believers, are not to speak in mean-spirited, hateful words or actions, even on the guilty, sinners or those that we don't agree with, even if their actions or lifestyle is wrong according to the Bible. We are to lovingly draw them closer to God and away from the error of their ways. If possible, possible.

Pastor Robert Young: 5:59

Let's take one minute to really examine our behaviors about the following questions and one minute to listen intently to the prompting from God as he speaks to our hearts.

Pastor Robert Young: 6:07

The questions are: 1

Pastor Robert Young: 6:11

1do I display mercy or compassion on those that are guilty of violating God's word?

Pastor Robert Young: 6:19

2. Do I speak to them the way Jesus would speak to

Pastor Robert Young: 6:24

?

Pastor Robert Young: 6:25

Thank you, thank you Repeat the following affirmation now and for the next seven days. Now and for the next seven days. Thank you

Pastor Robert Young: 8:44

, lord, for creating week, a clean heart and renewing a right spirit within me. Again, thank you, lord, for creating a clean heart and renewing a right spirit within me. Picture yourself longing for the unsaved to know Jesus' forgiveness of their sins. Picture yourself telling others about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Our assignment for this week Find other scriptures about mercy. There are

Pastor Robert Young: 9:34

over 70 mentions of mercy in the Bible. Next, listen to this meditation daily until it becomes permanent in your spirit. Know that God is ready to cleanse your heart and give you a heart full of mercy and compassion as you continue to acknowledge his everlasting love for you through his son Jesus Christ. Amen.