Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Mercy is one of those difficult to define words. We see it used with ideas like pity and compassion. It is wrapped up in and overlapping other characteristics of God like graciousness, kindness, faithfulness and love. One author suggests we experience it in “a loving God who is forever faithful in reaching out to His people in their need.” [1]
If we are to show mercy like God shows mercy, then we also need to reach out to others while they are still in their need. The OT word associated with mercy is related to the womb and has hints of a mother’s compassion on her infant, someone unable to help themselves and dependent on pity and kindness from someone else. To a certain extent, those who grant mercy do so from a position of relative power. The recipient cannot demand it. It must be given freely.
Where do we get this ability? We show mercy because we have been shown mercy. Mercy is a mark of the blessed, the follower of Jesus. God reached down and had pity on me. His compassion is great.
I can rest in God’s faithful mercy to me, having received it freely. It can now also flow freely from me. Freely - not just to those I think deserve it, but to all in need. That is the character of the blessed. The blessed are merciful – for they have been shown mercy.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17
