Understanding mercy is understanding forgiveness. When a person is asking for mercy, they are really asking is to forgive them. Those who are compassionate towards others are merciful. Jesus was moved by compassion so should we.
Matthew 20:29 Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” 31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” 32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 33 They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” 34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
For us, we are to love mercy. This is one of the three that is required from us. The other two are to do justly and walk humbly with Jesus. Have you noticed that all three are others focused rather than self focused? By doing all three you fulfill the royal law which is, to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Walking humbly with Jesus and loving your neighbor as yourself. Loving your neighbor is to seek justice and love mercy.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
When you understand love, you understand mercy. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and see how merciful and humble a person has to be to walk in love. Mercy triumphs over judgment. When you walk with Jesus, His goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life here on earth and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, 6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails;
James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.