The Mercy Mystery

Romans 11:25-32

Mystery
Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers… (v.25a)

One can’t remain wise in his own eyes when those eyes are looking at God. So, let’s seek to understand one of the mysteries of God.

By mystery, this doesn’t refer to something like those old episodes of Unsolved Mysteries that used to creep me out when I was a kid. It refers to something that we can’t know until God reveals it to us. It doesn’t take a detective to figure this type of mystery out. It takes a listening ear toward God.

Specifically, let’s try to understand the mystery of God’s determination to create a people of mercy.

Mercy
What is mercy? Mercy is the opposite of merit. We operate in a merit based system in which you get into colleges and jobs if you’re worthy of it. Mercy is not grace. Grace is receiving something good that you don’t deserve. Mercy is not receiving the bad that you do deserve.

This mystery has to do what we’ve been studying for weeks: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (v.25b). This means that the hardening we studied in 11:7-10 is partial and temporary. Most of Israel has been hardened by God as a means of inviting Gentiles in; and once the fullness of those Gentiles has been grafted in, God will soften and save Israel:

And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
“and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”

This doesn’t mean that every individual Israelite will be saved; but that Israel as a whole will come to recognize Jesus as their Deliverer and thus their sins will be taken away.

Paul continues to unfold the mystery:

As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (v.28-29)

We Gentiles receive the gospel (the good news that Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and offers us forgiveness and life) through Israel’s rejection of God (see 11:11-12). But, God’s purpose in election includes Israel because of the covenants he made to their forefathers (see 9:6-13).

For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but have now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.  (v.30-32)

Now we get into the heart of the mercy mystery: God has worked these two massive people groups together in such a way that a people of mercy emerges from both, using their own disobedience as his instrument.

How Romans 8:28 comes to life with meaning as we think about these things! No wonder these thoughts trigger a worship explosion from Paul in verses 33-36. But we’ll get to those next week. For now, here are some invitations in light of all this:

1. Receive mercy from God in Jesus. Maybe you don’t feel worthy of God right now. Maybe you’re carrying a weight of guilt and shame. God is merciful and wants to forgive and cleanse you through Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-10).
2. Let mercy motivate you to worship. It is this mercy that motivates Paul to worship the way he does in Romans 12:1. If you’re a Christian who doesn’t feel like worshipping, consider his mercy.
3. Give mercy to other from Jesus. Those who have received mercy from God through Jesus are free to give mercy to others (Matthew 5:7; James 2:13; Matthew 9:9-13).

Discussion Starters

1. How was your week? Share the highs and lows together.
2. In what ways have you been tempted to be wise in your own eyes?
3. What mysteries of God would you like to learn more about? (Create a list together as a group. Pastor Matt might use this as the basis for an upcoming sermon series.)
4. What mysteries of God have you come to understand that used to confound you?
5. Read verses 30-31. Why would God go to such lengths to create a people of mercy, as opposed to creating a people of merit in which only the best get in?
6. How does one receive God’s mercy?
7. How can you give mercy to others this week?
8. Pray together. Be sure to ask God to help you grow in humility.