Power and Mercy

Do you know who first said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy”?

Here’s a hint: it wasn’t the preacher who addressed the president last week after the inauguration.

It’s Jesus.

Jesus had a lot to say about mercy. Mercy is showing compassion and forgiveness to someone that you have the power to harm or punish.

In the Bible, you’ll find 200 references to mercy. People who appeal to Jesus for mercy are afflicted with a demon (Matthew 15), epilepsy (Matthew 17), and beggars who’ve been overlooked (Luke 18).

Even the answer to “who was the neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robber” in the famous story of the Good Samaritan is a lesson in mercy. You know what makes this story even more remarkable?

Jesus has lifted up a foreigner, a man from Samaria, as the person who shows mercy. When the lawyer answers the question, he can’t even say where he’s from. He just says, “the one who showed him mercy.”

That says a lot about humanity, really. He can’t even say “Samaritan” but the lesson sinks in. Jesus challenges him to see the humanity in someone whom he wouldn’t ordinarily show mercy to.  

It is clear from the President’s inauguration speech that policies and actions for our country are changing.

As Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde heard the speech, she added an appeal of mercy in her sermon, especially to advocate for the fear from immigrant and the LGBTQ+ communities.

She acknowledged the direction and plans of President Trump but reminded our country of the humanity of our neighbors. She used her platform to advocate to the heart of our nation.

The response to her sermon included calls for her to be punished, deported, and killed. She was told to apologize.

We see how the influence of power can affect decisions in our political climate.

When politics and religion collide, predictably things can get murky. Historically, religious figures have made similar appeals to ruling authorities. The prophet Nathan uses a parable to illustrate the truth to King David. John the Baptist forges a relationship with Herod while in prison that is so threatening that it gets him killed. Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights activist, was also a preacher. His call to action led to his assassination.

Bishop Budde did not insert herself into making a political claim. She stayed in her lane. She made a Biblical claim: to all who lead, lead with justice. To all with power, wield that power with mercy.

Forest Lake and surrounding communities, I address this topic because it’s important for us to continue seeing humanity in our neighbors. We don’t lose power by showing mercy, grace, or compassion. In fact, we gain more respect, trust, and support.     

Jesus, when confronting power, used his voice to demonstrate mercy and teach us to love our neighbor. This is what God expects. Friends and neighbors, may our beliefs lead us to go and do likewise. 

Pastor John Klawiter is the senior pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Forest Lake. For more information, email him at