When Wade Boggs was with the Red Sox, he once showed great mercy to a man tormenting him in Yankee Stadium. As Boggs warmed up, the man would yell, “Boggs, you suck!” It was hard to identify the vulgar person because he only yelled when Wade was forced to concentrate on a return throw from his teammate.

Finally, Boggs let a throw pass and looked in the direction of his tormenter. He identified the loudmouth and asked, “Why are you always on my case?” The man shrugged his shoulders. Boggs took a new baseball out of his pocket, autographed it, and tossed it to the guy. That man never yelled obscenities at Boggs again. Instead, he became Wade’s biggest fan at Yankee Stadium!

Matthew 9 – God’s Mercy and Grace

Jesus Christ showed even greater mercy to two persistent blind men who followed Him indoors in chapter 9. He cried out to him, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” As the Great Physician, Jesus’ miracles depended upon His grace and His mercy.

Mercy and grace are often used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing. When God saves a person, He extends both mercy and grace. Mercy is forgiving the sinner and withholding the punishment that is rightfully deserved. Grace is heaping undeserved blessings upon the sinner. In salvation, God does not show one without the other. In Christ, the believer experiences both mercy and grace.

God never ignores the cry of a true heart of repentance. Desperate sinners who know they’re worthy of nothing will always gain a hearing with Him. He has the power to save sinners and turn them into obedient followers who live lives of true worship.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete are thankful for the mercy the Lord has shown each of them, motivating them to show mercy to others. Their lives are characterized by compassion for those in distress.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38

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