Blessed are the merciful

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7).

We live in a world where it's so easy to become indifferent. We are bombarded daily with news of tragedies, violent acts, and suffering people. Instead of developing a thick skin, many develop a hard heart. As a result you find hard, unforgiving, cynical, merciless people everywhere.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." God says in Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Picture yourself at a shopping centre watching an elderly woman struggling with her packages. Many are even irritated with her slowness. "Move on, Grandma," could be the response of some. Finally you might see a tender-hearted person stop and take the time to help her. Perhaps the most common place where hard hearts excel is the highway. We think we have a right to be angry at the others on the road.

If we do not show mercy, no mercy will be shown to us. Jesus said, "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." (Matthew 6:14-15) James 2:13 reads, "For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment." When we show no mercy, we are the losers in terms of God's mercy.

Perspective: All people are special in God's eyes. The waitress who serves your dinner, the check-out lady in the supermarket. All are important to God. Think about that the next time you see them. Even the hothead who is shaking his or her fist at you on the road is important to God. So is the person who has offended you, or hurt you, or made you angry. Each one is a special person to God. Each one is as important as I am or you are. We need to pray, "God, let me see them through your eyes." Seeing as God sees can be a giant step toward a merciful, tender-hearted, and forgiving attitude.

Sensitivity: How do you suppose it feels to be handicapped, unable to walk or stand, unable to drive or take care of yourself? How do you suppose it feels to be unemployed, with bills you cannot pay, and children you cannot feed? How would it feel to be widowed, or to lose a child, or a parent? How do you suppose it would feel to have cancer, or Alzheimer's disease, or AIDS?

The point is that we need to climb into someone else's situation and walk a while in their shoes. Once we do, we might find it easier to show some tender-hearted love and genuine forgiveness. Understanding, that is often all people really need.

Response: We must have perspective and sensitivity to be able to respond by doing something about the needs of others - simply loving as Christ loves us. That is what Christ did for us. This is what we should do for others.

Ephesians teaches us to "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Christ’s forgiveness was made possible because of his love. If we would learn to show mercy, it will be because we learn to love as Christ loves.

Just think of what would happen if we were to do this. I believe that the results would be extraordinary. People would be wondering what happened to us. Our spouses and children would be overjoyed. Our church would be filled as people discover that church is a place where they can find love and forgiveness and genuine acceptance.

Remember, as Jesus hung there on the Cross, He said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

We need to be merciful because we need to be like Jesus.