Blessed Are
The Merciful
This week we continue our look at the Beatitudes.
Let me encourage everyone to take the time to read the first twelve
verses of Matthew chapter five and give careful thought to each o the
qualities listed and this week pay special attention to verse seven.
Really consider what it means to be merciful and to receive mercy.
What is mercy? Webster defines mercy as, "A
show of kindness or compassion." But in a Biblical sense mercy is
much more. One preacher defined mercy as, "getting what you need
rather than what you deserve." The idea being that as sinners we
deserve death but, because God is merciful, and gives us life. One
of the words found in the Bible that is very similar to mercy is
"lovingkindness." This beautiful word is an accurate description
of God's action toward man, Because if His great love for us God
shows us mercy and kindness. Our Father gives us what we need
rather than what we deserve.
In Matthew 18 Jesus gives a beautiful parable about
mercy, both giving and receiving. In this parable one servant is
forgiven a debt he could never pay. This same servant failed to
show mercy on his fellow and in the end was severely punished. How
different it would have been for him if only he had shown mercy.
God requires us to be merciful and He gives us many opportunities to
practice this desirable quality. His mercy toward us depends, in
large part, upon our mercy toward each other.
Happy are the merciful indeed! For they shall
receive mercy.
Thomas Sneed
Pond Church of Christ.
