When Jesus died on the cross the mercy of God did not…
“When Jesus died on the cross the mercy of God did not become any greater. It could not become any greater, for it was already infinite. We get the odd notion that God is showing mercy because Jesus died. No--Jesus died because God is showing mercy. It was the mercy of God that gave us Calvary, not Calvary that gave us mercy. If God had not been merciful there would have been no incarnation, no babe in the manger, no man on a cross and no open tomb.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Divine mercy existed before and caused the incarnation; it is not a result of Christ’s death.
In simple terms: God’s mercy created Jesus, not the other way around.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge the source of mercy.
Themes
theity
theology
incarnation
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- sermon
- personal study
- faith teaching
Key Concepts
divine providence
cause and effect
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect your understanding of sacrifice?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations vary across denominations.