The Beatitudes – The Merciful (Part 2)

In our previous entry we started looking at the shortest beatitude: only six words in the original Greek. Jesus taught his disciples: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matt. 5:7). We’ve learned that being merciful means that we feel and show compassion.

Christian mercy is moved by the physical and spiritual plight of people. We see this beautifully illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, who preached the word and provided food for the hungry. This ministry of mercy continues through the church, caring for people and calling them to turn to Christ.

Showing mercy can be hard, costly even. Why should Christians do it? Our verse ends with these words: “for they shall receive mercy”. We should be careful not to misunderstand what Christ is saying. Our mercy does not merit God’s mercy – that would not be mercy, and would cheapen grace.

Instead, the Bible teaches us that we should be merciful because we have been shown mercy. In Psalm 103 David lists God’s “benefits” (v. 1-5), his work of salvation for Israel (v. 6-7), his gracious dealings with sinners (v. 8-14), and his eternal faithfulness (v. 15-19). In Nehemiah 9, as Israel confesses their sin, they remember God’s abundant mercy (see v. 17, 19, 27-31).
 
A New Testament believer has an even better perspective on God’s mercy. We have a fuller picture of what God’s mercy cost him, and how deep that mercy really goes. Consider Ephesians 2:3-5, where we are told that God made us alive together with Christ because he is “rich in mercy”. A Christian is someone who has received mercy, abundant mercy, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Not only does God’s past mercy motivate the merciful, but his promised future mercy does as well: “for they shall receive mercy.” Some believe this means that other people will be merciful to them. There is some truth to that, because people will be more eager to respond with mercy if we are merciful. Still, the focus is not on how people will respond, but how God will respond to the merciful.

Proverbs 11:24 says: “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” The merciful will not find themselves forsaken; God’s compassion will always outshine their own. In a similar way, James 2:12-13, reminds us that we will receive mercy on judgment day, and this motivates us to show mercy even now.
 
In the first book of The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, the fellowship was being followed by Gollum. Frodo, in fear, laments that Bilbo spared Gollum’s life. Gandalf explains that while Gollum probably deserved to die, “the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many – yours not least.” In the end justice was served, not by handing out death and judgment, but by showing mercy.
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Because of Christ,
Pieter