SATURDAY February 15, 2020
Blessed Are the Merciful
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
Matthew 5:7
Jesus taught another characteristic of living in God’s kingdom––mercy. Christians should be merciful and compassionate toward others. It is never good to be judgmental or desire to see people destroyed. Believers need to show mercy to the undeserving and be forgiving. Think about it. Christ has forgiven you of your sins. Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus would also teach about the importance of forgiveness:
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).
I was taught by Pastor Chuck Smith to err on the side of grace. It is true what he taught, because all of us one day will need to have a person show us grace. If you lean to the letter of the law––act harsh and ridged with people––and you show no grace or compassion, it has a way of naturally coming back to you.
God requires us to show mercy. Jesus wanted the religious leaders, the Pharisees, to learn about mercy. Jesus sat and ate with sinners and tax collectors. These people were looked down upon by the Pharisees. They asked the disciples why Jesus ate with them, saying, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus responded:
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Matthew 9:12-13).
How did Jesus minister to you personally about mercy? Understand, mercy is found in the heart of Jesus––this is a true Beatitude of Christianity.
He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
~Micah 6:8~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!