Grace and Mercy

Over this past summer I watched episodes of SHTISEL, a series on Netflix, about an Orthodox Jewish family. The culture has me completely intrigued. 

On one particular show, Rabbi Akiva Shtisel, a 27 year-old Jewish teacher, needs to discipline one of his students after the class performs a school prank.

All the boys are solemnly quiet as Israel, a young boy, approaches the rabbi’s desk. He is asked to remove his glasses. Everyone is expecting the worst- a slap on the face. (Even I found myself holding my breath.)

As the rabbi recites (what rabbi’s recite) before administering discipline, he changes his mind about the punishment. Instead of a slap, to the surprise of the viewers, he slowly opens his top desk drawer and pulls out a treat. Sliding it across the desk, he tells Israel to take his seat. (Sigh!)

I always get the definitions of GRACE & MERCY mixed up. But didn’t Israel get BOTH? And most often, don’t we, too?

God, in His mercy, extends grace. We get what we don’t deserve, because in our sinfulness, all we really deserve is death. Because of His mercy, He gifts us grace through Jesus, providing a Savior to deliver us from sin and ourselves. 

God, we don’t deserve your grace, but you still offer it freely. Help us to receive and be grateful for this precious gift.  Amen. 

#graceandmercy #gratefulheart #giftofgrace

#mydeliverer #mysavior #betrayaltrauma

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