This coming Lord’s Day we will be resuming our study of 2 John. As you remember, we are taking a very close look at what we have called the ‘three key words in the dictionary of salvation.’ These three blessings, coming from our Father and experienced only in His Son, are listed in verse 3 as “grace, mercy, and peace.”

This week we are taking a second look at the marvelous blessing of “mercy.” So far we have noted that “mercy” is what our Father freely grants to miserable sinners, and it is closely associated with other key Biblical terms such as compassion, long suffering, covenant fidelity, and love. As we probe further the depths of this blessed term, we will look to the Old Testament for mercy’s foundation and promise, and then we will trace mercy’s development and ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant. As you meditate on the inspired words of 2 John 1:3, also consider Micah 7:18-20 and Matthew 9:35-38. I think you’ll see the vital connection to our Lord and Savior who is the very embodiment of “mercy” itself.