Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Mat 5:7
When we hear the word mercy, I think we automatically associate it with God. Its not a word that has much use today in our culture which has become dark, harsh, violent, without mercy. Look at the news today. There is no mercy.
The word itself conveys a meaning of compassion which has a strong component of empathy – the ability of a person to mentally and emotionally place themselves in the situation of another – to think as they would think, to feel as they would feel. Isn’t this what God Himself did for us? Jesus is the Word who became flesh, who made His dwelling with us. His ministry began with compassion towards those who were sick, demon possessed. Lepers would cry out “son of David, have mercy on us”. They knew who he was. And as a result the multitudes came to Him – because in a world at that time when there was no mercy, He brought the mercy of God to people.
God had compassion on us. We are all sinners under the influence, sometimes the control of an evil entity that has no mercy, who wants nothing more than to destroy the crowning achievement of God’s creation: mankind made in God’s image and likeness – we, the image bearers of the living God.
And yet, while we are yet sinners deserving of judgement, we are shown mercy through a savior who is the expression of God’s mercy towards us. He died for us, taking upon himself the sins of us all – full payment of our penalty for sin. Now that is mercy.
Jesus says here that the merciful shall themselves receive mercy. So, here is a thought: we as the image bearers of God also have within us the capacity to show mercy. There is also the capacity for murder, revenge, oppression. When was the last time you showed mercy towards someone with whom you do not agree. Show mercy. The mercy of God that you receive leads to salvation – its sets you on a path that leads straight to the cross which is the ultimate expression of the mercy of God.
Another principle that flows from this truth is this: you reap what you sow. Reaping is always in a quantity greater than sowing. What does one seed yield but a harvest of many. What are you sowing? Are you sowing mercy? Anger? Hatred? Which path are you walking? The path of destruction? Anger and hatred give birth to more anger and hatred ultimately leading to destruction – of yourself and others. There are always collateral effects of your attitudes and actions. Look around you at our culture. Its a wreck because of hatred and the lack of mercy.
Mercy is different. It disarms. It brings life. It pleases God. A normative human response of retribution or oppression of others may be in order in the minds of many because of perceived or real injustice or wrong. But show mercy. Does your spouse need mercy? Show mercy. Does your son or daughter need mercy? Show mercy. Teach them mercy, not retribution. What about your parents. Show mercy.
For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13
In a world full of vengeance, show mercy. That which you sow, so shall you receive in abundance.
