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The Merciful
Brian Mashburn
July 10, 2011
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Extending Mercy
In his fifth beatitude, Jesus mentions the first active work that brings the supremely blessed life.
He says, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." Matthew 5:7
The word he uses for "merciful" is not confined only to a feeling of mercy towards others. It connotes doing, demanding action. It might as well say, "Blessed are those who go to great lengths to do acts of mercy towards others in the most surprising sort of ways, for they will then receive the most surprising mercy ever offered in the universe."
It sounds like salvation by works, doesn't it? It sounds like Jesus is saying that God will only forgive you if you forgive others.
Ready for my answer to that?
He is.
Let's not take the blessed truth that we are saved by the work of Jesus, not by our works, and hold it against God so that we don't have to face this beatitude. Only the person who is afraid or too prideful to offer mercy will do that.
Let us be the people that face it, and plumb the truth, the good news, and the love in it. And then enjoy the supreme blessing that comes with it.