This is Jesus’ fifth beatitude. The first four beatitudes deal entirely with inner principles… principles of the heart and mind. They are concerned with the way we see ourselves before God. The last four are outward manifestations of those attitudes.

  • Those who poor in poverty of spirit recognize their need of mercy and are led to show mercy to others.
  • Those who mourn over their sin are led to purity of heart.
  • Those who are meek always seek to make peace.
  • Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are never unwilling to pay the price of being persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

The concept of mercy is seen throughout Scripture. Mercy is a desperately needed gift of God’s salvation and the Lord requires us to follow His example by extending mercy to others.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

1. What is mercy?

Negatively, many see mercy as a weakness. One person has called mercy a ‘disease of the soul.’ The Romans thought if somebody could persuade you to be merciful, they would have power to control you. Today, many people make decisions (sometimes wrong decisions) to prove how tough and unmerciful they really are. A Roman father had full authority to kill his newborn or any slave they did not need. To give mercy was to allow them to live, though the had no right to live. Today, many think if you don’t look out for yourself, no one else will. So never give in to anybody else.

Positively, mercy is a godly attribute. It is contrasted to three similar attributes of God: (1) God’s love is constant, but His mercy is given in time of need. (2) God’s grace gives (positive), but God’s mercy helps (negative). (3) God’s forgiveness forgives sin, but His mercy is for any and all trouble. Mercy is the attitude to help the afflicted & rescue the helpless.

2. How to show mercy?

1. Physical Acts.

Much like the Good Samaritan, we can help people in their distress and difficulties.

2. Attitudes.

Mercy does not hold a grudge, resentment, capitalize on another’s failure or weakness, or publicize another’s sin.

3. Spiritual – Soul Winning

We can show mercy to the lost through pity, confrontation, prayer, and proclamation of the Gospel.

Primary Result of Being Merciful – Receive Mercy.

Do we earn salvation by being merciful? No. (2 Samuel 22:26; James 2:13; Matthew 6:14-15). We do not earn salvation by being merciful. We must be saved by God’s mercy before we can truly be merciful Being merciful is a gift of God. It is not a natural attribute of man but is a gift that comes with the new birth.

The cycle of God’s mercy: (1) God is merciful to us by saving us through Christ. (2) We are merciful to others because God has been merciful to us. (3) God gives us more mercy, pouring out blessings and withholding chastening. (4) We continue to give mercy to others in practical ways because God has continued to be merciful to us.

The Bible says, ‘He that hath pity upon the poor length unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay again’ (Prov. 19:17). Perhaps no more beautiful illustration of mercy exists in the Bible apart from God’s mercy in Christ than that of Joseph and his brothers. Through jealousy, the brothers sold Joseph into slavery, convincing his father that he had been devoured by wild beasts. In the following years, Joseph through his faithfulness to God and his masters, rose in position in Egypt until he was second in power to Pharaoh himself. It was a famine that drove the unsuspecting brothers down to Egypt to buy food. Joseph recognized his brothers, dealt with them compassionately, and had them bring his father and al their families to Egypt where he could nourish them through the remaining years of famine. Where vengeance and anger were certainly justified, Joseph showed only mercy and love.

Why did Joseph do this? Because those who are shown mercy will show mercy and will be happy.

Shakespeare once said:

The quality of mercy is not strained;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:

’Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes

The thrones monarch better than his crown.

No path to happiness is found in selfish living and indifference to others. Instead, when we have experienced the mercy of God, then we will show mercy to others.

You can read my other Sermon on the Mount articles: Life Redefined: Sermons from The Sermon on the Mount.