Mercy upon the Lord's Anointed
1 Samuel 24:1-22
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our text is from the Old Testament lesson, and David tells Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’" The word spared may not strike you all that clearly. But in Hebrew this word is related to steadfast love, compassion, or even pity.
So I want to talk about the difference between grace and mercy. We like to talk about God saving us by grace, which is the gift of his Son as our sacrifice for sin, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to grant us faith in God.
But God has mercy, compassion, and spares us from the judgment we deserve. Similarly, David's men and even David himself will talk about how the LORD handed Saul over into his hand to kill him. But David had compassion, pity, and yes mercy upon his King, the LORD's anointed. God has this similar mercy, to spare us from the wrath, judgment, and condemnation we deserve.
But you may be thinking like I would, do I really deserve to die for the things I have done. I have not done anything like Saul. I have not contacted a witch, or necromancer. I have not tracked done my friend with murder in my heart. I have not threatened to kill my children. I have not taken an oath and reneged on a promise, because I was supposed to kill my Son. I am not like Saul.
But remember the proverb of your fathers, Out of the wicked comes wickedness. We come from Adam, who was sinful. Your parents are sinful people. Likewise, your own small wicked deeds you are revealed to be wicked. We may review our own ways of misusing God's name, searching out guides for our future. We have disrespected or dishonored our parents and other authorities. We have disliked, thought ill, and wished bad things about our neighbor. I may skip the sexual immorality this week, but we have not always put the best but rather the worst construction on things. We even like our neighbors toys just a little more than our own toys.
All of these things remind us how we are wicked and breed wickedness. We stand as an enemy to God. Even as we listen to people who we think have the best in mind for us, they lead us to track down and destroy God. But even while God could strike us dead he has mercy on you. God shows his compassion not by making your life perfect, but by giving you hope in your suffering.
God points out to us how he could have destroyed, or killed you. But he killed his only Son Jesus Christ in your place. And as he holds up the cross before our eyes as David holds up the corner cut off Saul's robe.
Therefore, we should share the statement of Saul to David pleading for continued mercy. "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? ... And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by [yourself] that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” And we may add, "but keep my name written in your book of life."
God has crucified his Son for you. He has joined you to his death and resurrection through Baptism. He has written your name in the book of life. He has anointed you to be his holy nation and royal priesthood. Even as Jesus is the Messiah and the true King of Israel, the Son of God and Son of David. God has had mercy upon you, and will continue to spare your life, even as we may seek to kill or illuminate God. We come back here to receive forgiveness of all our sins through our King Jesus Christ.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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