The Beatitudes: Mercy
5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Eleos is the Greek word for mercy. It means to have pity and compassion; a kindness and goodwill toward the miserable and afflicted that are joined with a desire to relieve them.
In Genesis 6-9, we learn about Noah and God’s justice that reigned over the earth as a result of sin. Noah was the only person walking with God during this time, so before God sent His judgment, He spoke to Noah and told him to build a boat. Noah gathered two of every animal, male and female, and put his family in the boat. Although he told everyone about the rain to come, they did not listen. As a result of their pride, they didn’t see the day the floods receded. Noah did, and God made a covenant with him as a result of his faithfulness.
Later, in Exodus 34:28, Moses writes the Ten Commandments, which he delivers in Deuteronomy. These commandments were the law and an obligation of the people of God. Their decision to obey or disobey was a choice of life or death because the just punishment of sin is death — that’s pretty cryptic, but it is true. [Deutoronomy 30:15-19] . The people of God heard these laws and chose to obey, but their disobedience is documented in most of the Old Testament. Understandably, it proposes the questions of whether or not the law “works” and what God would do. God had a plan for His people. He says it in Jeremiah 29:11 and Jeremiah 31. In Hosea, we learn that God is angry, but His compassion and love for His people will always prevail.
Mercy is an act of love. Our heavenly Father’s mercy comes from His compassion towards us. He is a just and righteous God, and He knows that we all sin and fall short. When He made redemption’s plan, He knew that and still chose to proceed because His love is eternal, and His mercy for us is new every day. [Lamentations 3:22-23] He desires to love and prosper us, and for us to know Him, so we are given mercy. [Hosea 6:6]
When we fully accept God’s love and the mercy He’s given us, we find it easy to be merciful to others. We are undeserving of the mercy shown toward us every day, yet it’s given freely. The world convinces us that we have to earn it, whatever the proverbial it may be. If we don’t work hard for, prove ourselves worthy of, and justify why we should have it, we don’t deserve it. If we have it and didn’t do anything to get it, then something’s wrong. God’s Word teaches us and proves that’s not always the case. In fact, we are given gifts free of having to deserve them. We are alive because of mercy, and we live because of grace. We didn’t do anything to be born, yet here we are. This life is a gift that started with an act of love and continues because of love. As a result, we are called to extend that love to others the same way it’s been given to us. When we hurt and are caused pain at the hands of those around us, love reminds us that mercy is the right response.
Choosing to be merciful isn’t always easy. Jesus told us to turn the other cheek when people slap us in the face. He didn’t instruct us to do this because He doesn’t care about our pain. Actually, He cares quite a lot — He knows firsthand how betrayal and rejection feel. Pain hurts, and when the damage is done, it’s hard to forget what happened. Mercy doesn’t mean we are okay with the pain and hurt others inflict on us, that it is justified, or that the offender is innocent. When we give what is not deserved, it convicts them whether they show it or not. Giving mercy is trusting God to be just and convict the person who’s done wrong, just as He’s convicted us of our wrongs. It’s not the easy choice to make, but it is the right one. [Matthew 5:38-42; Proverbs 25:21-22; Colossians 3:13; Numbers 14:18; Romans 12:19]
they shall obtain mercy.
In 1 Peter 3:9, Paul gives an instruction not to withhold mercy. “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.” In Matthew 6:14, Jesus promises “if you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”
The mercy we give truly reflects the mercy we believe we receive. God’s mercy is for everyone. When we know He has given and continues to give immeasurable mercy toward us as His disciples, we are able to give mercy to our neighbor. We forgive when unforgiveness is expected, we turn the other cheek when it’s not expected, and we withhold the need for justice to be served by our hands.
In doing so, we allow the grace of God to come upon our lives and the lives of others. He forgives us, His mercies continue, His blessings overflow, and His goodness reigns in our hearts.
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