The Quality

Of Mercy

“The quality of mercy is not strain’d,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:

Shakespeare, in Merchant of Venice, eloquently identifies the quality of mercy. This article claims we all qualify to both receive and extend it.

Reading through the Bible…Deuteronomy 30-31/Mark 15:1-15

It was a custom at the Feast to release a prisoner…Pilate gave the crowd what it wanted, set Barabbas free and turned Jesus over for whipping and crucifixion. (Mark 15:6 &15)

I don’t see the quality of mercy in Pilate. I see, instead, the no qualms of a mercenary. How else can Pilate release Barabbas and condemn Jesus to death?

Pilate releases Barabbas because he resembles Barabbas. From what we know of their history, they both fit the definition of a mercenary:

adj, primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics.

noun, a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.

Pilate understands Barabbas. So, he releases him. Pilate does not understand Jesus. So, he crucifies Him. Pilate sets free a soldier who murders. He sends to his death, a Savior who extends mercy.

Writing…

It was a custom at the Feast to release a prisoner (v.6). It still is custom today.

A presidential pardon is an executive power granted by Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, allowing the President to forgive individuals for federal crimes, effectively nullifying punishment and restoring civil rights. It applies only to federal offenses, not state crimes or impeachment, and can be granted before or after conviction (Google AI)

There are other Presidents who pardon more people. Still, our sitting President’s pardon of 1500 protesters from the January 6 insurrection feels to me more mercenary than merciful. What do you think?

Trump seems to be using his pardon power to literally raise an army. He also seems to be using that power to raise money.

As of March 2026, President Trump has pardoned or commuted sentences resulting in the forgiveness of more than $1.3 billion to nearly $2 billion in court-ordered restitution, fines, and forfeitures, according to analyses of his first and second-term clemency actions. These actions have relieved individuals, including white-collar criminals and political allies, of debts owed to victims and taxpayers. (Google AI)

Trump’s use of the Presidential Pardon contrasts with another Republican President, Gerald Ford. President Ford, who self identifies as a Christian, pardons Richard Nixon.

He gets no money for it. He gets no military. What he does get is the ire of the majority of the American people. We, myself included, are clamoring for Nixon’s crucifixion. President Ford, however, declares his pardon.

I’m not claiming it is right. I’m just suggesting that President Ford finds in his faith a place for mercy. Notably, Ford also finds that same place for foreign leaders like ​Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Ford formally bans the assassination of foreign leaders by U.S. officials. Following the 1975 Church Committee revelations of CIA plots, Ford signs Executive Order 11905 on February 18, 1976, which prohibits the government from engaging in, or conspiring to engage in, political assassination (Britannica)

Gerald Ford (my University of Michigan man, my deeply devout Christan brother, understands the quality of mercy. While our present president seems to act with no qualms as a mercenary.

Pardon me if you disagree.

Building…

Still, none of us are in a position to offer a Pilate or a Presidential Pardon. We can, however, extend and receive mercy. For those who have wronged us, we can offer a pardon. From those we have wronged, we can beg one.

The clear message of Lent and Holy Week for Christians is that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). It’s not just the crowd yelling, “Crucify Him”. It’s the discples who remain silent. It’s not just Pilate who tries to wash his hands, it’s all the rest of us who fail to lift a hand.

We all qualify for the quality of mercy.