“Blesséd are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
Merciful
A few years back, a high school bulletin dedicated a space to “shining lights” on campus. This space recorded random acts of kindness shown by students. They are random because they are spontaneous, “done without method or conscious decision.” Mercy is a fruit of the Spirit, which functions almost instinctively.
The merciful Christian is not a “boy scout” looking for a good deed to do; the good deed is “looking for him.” When they meet, there is a reflexive act of mercy. There is no, “Should I or shouldn’t I?” Mercy jumps into action.
Look at Jesus. When the sick and suffering cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us,” Jesus immediately responded. Of course, the greatest act of mercy is found in His sacrificial love. He was “a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17)
As is the Master, so are the servants. Blesséd are you merciful ones. When you see someone in distress, you are moved to help. You don’t merely feel mercy; you show mercy. Truly, this is a blesséd condition. Being merciful is a status that ranks us alongside God Himself. "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
The blessédness of the merciful is further revealed, when Jesus proclaims, “they shall obtain mercy.” Those, who show mercy, receive mercy. This frequently happens when God is merciful to us in things of this world. “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given. (Proverbs 19:17)
A much greater mercy is displayed on Calvary, where Jesus took our sins and punishment on Himself. “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.” (Micah 7:18)
Let us pray, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Amen. (Prayer from 1 Peter 1:3)