Matthew 5:7

Matthew 5:7 NIV

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

This beattitude, the fifth of eight proclamations about those blessed disciples of Christ within the kingdom of heaven, is simple and straightforward. If you show mercy, you will be blessed by experiencing mercy yourself. 

What is mercy? The example in my biblical notes from scholars is "to give aid to one in Mercy is to have compassion for the suffering and needy, the oppressed and marginalized. Mercy is to love the wretched untouchables in our society.

My favorite story of Jesus showing mercy is a time He healed a leper. Everyone avoided touching lepers. By law they had to cover themselves in public and go about shouting "Unclean! Unclean!"

Mark 1:40-42 HCSB

Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees, begged Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. “I am willing,” He told him. “Be made clean.” Immediately the disease left him, and he was healed.

Think of what it would mean to include someone who is always left out, treated poorly, abused and maligned. I just saw the film "Central Intelligence", starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. In high school Johnson's character was obese and abused by others. He was cast out into a gym, full of students and faculty, stark naked by four bullies. Kevin Hart's character was the only one to show him mercy. While the whole gym exploded in laughter, he covered the poor boy with his letter jacket. This act of mercy changed the boy's life. He wanted to become like his merciful hero.

Think of the mercy God has shown you by offering His Son upon the cross, instead of allowing the penalty of your sins keep you utterly estranged from God's love and life. You have received mercy. Do you not want to be like your merciful saviour? Be blessed and show the same mercy God has shown you to others.

Don't be so quick to judge. A wise person is slow to anger and does not answer foolish taunts. In this world of increasing violence and the dissolution of our peaceful society, God calls upon His disciples to be merciful as He is merciful. Have compassion. Forgive. Heal with kindness. You will be blessed as one of God's children blessing others.