God Blesses the Merciful

Matthew 5:7

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

I like to say “We want mercy for ourselves and justice for others.”

If someone else does wrong to us, they should pay for their sins. There needs to be retribution. If we do wrong to someone, we want the consequences to be light. If you don’t believe me, visit my house and observe my two sons for a few days.

God has shown both mercy and justice to us, but here Jesus is telling us that one of the markers of being a follower of him is to be identified by our mercy. I think sometimes it is easier to hunger and thirst for righteousness than it is to be merciful.

When I am hungering and thirsting for righteousness or justice then I feel that I am in the “right.” I have the moral high ground. And we love to be or to feel right. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness also can get attention. “Look at them stand up for what they believe in.” But mercy can be harder.

Mercy is often unseen, unnoticed, and unrewarded. It can even feel icky at times. You don’t deserve this, but I’m giving it anyway because I care, and I care for you.

Here Jesus gives us the merciful a great promise, they will receive what they have given.