Mt 5:7 - Magnifying Mercy

Introduction

How is Mercy different than kindness, compassion, forgiveness, affirmation, tolerance or compromise?

Are you aware that Boy Scouts of America (before they became Scouting America) had both a slogan and a motto? When I was just a wee little lad in the early 1970s I joined the Cub Scouts. Before I could earn the Bobcat rank, I had to memorize the Cub Scout oath, the slogan and the Motto. Later I would trade in my blue Cub Scout uniform and before I could put a single patch on my new green Boy Scout uniform I had to recite the BS oath, the Scout Law, the slogan and the motto. The slogan that is often neglected is “Do a good turn daily”

This slogan was frequently illustrated as helping an elderly lady across the street (even if she didn’t want to go to the other side).

Earlier this week I was watching a program where Baby Boomers were asked to evaluate Baby Zoomers and vice versa. Each generation was asked what the other contributed to society and finally they were asked what the person being interviewed contributes to society. The segment concluded with a young lady saying my contribution is to smile and be nice.

TRANSITION: Is Jesus saying that those who smile and act nice are those who will receive smiles and nice actions? Or is Mercy something more significant?

Defining Mercy (Mt 5:7)

Greek

12 different words in 71 places

I’ve combined the words into a broad summary of the word the Holy Spirit inspired Matthew to write down when listening to Jesus’ sermon.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 88.75 ἱλάσκομαι

to show sensitivity, compassion and concern for someone in serious need or miserable condition, despite that person’s having committed a moral offense.

Notice 3 main parts of the definition: 1) your part, 2) the recipients need, and the recipient’s deservedness. You may recall that in earlier societies it was believed that medical situations like barrenness or blindness were attributed to someone’s sin and much of what today is labeled mental illness would have been seen in Jesus’ day to be spirit oppression. Yet Jesus displayed what we are calling Mercy.

Hebrew

15 different words in 137 places

One of the senses that the Jews used to describe mercy was connected to an attribute of who God is. Today, some might say “God is Love”. To ancient Jews one of the prominent descriptions would be “God is mercy (chesed)”. This word for mercy is most translated in our most literal English translations as loving-kindness.

TRANSITION: We learned last week that poverty, lament and meekness move us to hunger for righteousness. How does that righteousness relate to the the mercy of this 5th ring?

Righteousness expressed (Mt 5:6-7)

I think it is important that we link our mercy (v.7) with Christ’s righteousness(v.6). You may recall that my Greek summary included the third element of undeservedness. It does NOT say that the recipient is righteous or blameless or justified! it says that because I know God is righteous and I have received righteousness, I will choose not to impose my preferences upon you. I will not impose MY justice because I fully trust that God can provide His own accountability.

It is like the LEO who is required to use force to stop an aggressive violation of the law, then immediately begins First Aid until the medics can arrive.

Mercy exemplified (Luke 10:33-34)

This first aid imagery is the core of a parable Jesus told when upright people wanted to be exempt from being kind, loving or merciful to others.

Luke 10:33–34 ESV:2016

But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

Mercy is tenderness of heart (v.33) that acts in the interest of another (v.34).

TRANSITION: Why should I have this tenderness when others don’t deserve it? Well, if you believe the first 4 beatitudes, you don’t deserve it either! Some of us need more motivation than the golden rule or civic obligation.

Motivating Mercy

Reflection of God (Genesis 1:26-27)

We are created to reflect the Creator’s image (Gen 1:26-27)

Jesus of New Testament (see MT 14-15)

Peter – In John 21 Jesus  cooked breakfast for the disciples and asked Peter 3x, “do you love me?” and each time Jesus gave him something to do because Peter’s denial did not define him.

Saul/Paul – who described himself as the foremost of sinners (1 Tim 1:15) goes on to say,

1 Timothy 1:16 ESV:2016

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Yahweh or Elohim of Old Testament

In Exodus 20-31 God gives the law to Moses on Sinai

In Ex 32 Moses comes down from the mountain and finds the people worshipping a golden calf.

In Ex 33 Moses appeals for God to spare the Israelites.

Exodus 34:6 NASB:20

Then the Lord passed by in front of [Moses] and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth;

This is that word chesed I highlighted earlier. We should show mercy, because the God who made us shows mercy!

TRANSITION: We don’t only have example, we also have...

Commanded in Scripture (Micah 6:8)

Micah 6:8 NLT:2013

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Matthew 9:13 ESV:2016

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

TRANSITION: If you need more motivation than example and command, it proves you’re not crazy!

Reasonable Response (Matt 18:33)

In Mt 18 Jesus tells a story of a man who was forgiven millions of dollars (10k talents) then refused to write off a few hundred dollars (100 denarii) that another man owed him.

Matthew 18:33 ESV:2016

And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’

TRANSITION: If you proof that you’re not insane is not enough motivation then maybe your greed will kick in.

a Rewarded Virtue (Mt 5:7b)

blessed are - this is from a pure survival frame of mind. If you want anything different that what your life has been up until now, listen to the beatitudes and cross the ring swing.

will receive - Commentators highlight that this beatitude is the beginning of Part B of this list of 8. The first 4 were internal and your relationship with God, This one introduces the idea that the way you interact with others impacts the way others interact with you.

TRANSITION: What are some possible changes we can make in the way we interact with others?

Displaying Mercy

You learned from your last pastor that he loved Sven and Ollie. If you have not learned yet, My 27 years outside of Kansas just deepened my love for good football. By good, I mean you just have to look at Brother Larry’s golf cart.

On Friday of this week I binge watched the first season of Texas 6, which is the story of a 6-man football team in a town of 500 people in Texas. In towns like this the football coach can often extract more punishment than the law. 2 of the lead players on the team got involved with the law for an incident of under-age drinking. The Coach wrestles with should or how much mercy he should show these students for both their own good, and the good of the team.

I won’t spoil the end of this tension. You can find it on the Paramount App. But I do want to carry the tension of that coach’s quandry into our world.

Material World (1 Jn 3:17)

1 John 3:17 ESV:2016

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

Sinclair Ferguson writes “Mercy is getting down on your hands and knees and doing something to restore dignity to someone whose life has been broken by sin. [The Samaritan] did not deal with the cause of the man’s need by chasing the robbers… [and] he did not complain about the failure of society to meet the man’s need… The Samaritan addressed the immediate need set before him and did what he could to bring relief.”[i]

[i]Sinclair Ferguson, “The Sermon on the Mount,” p.31, Banner of Truth, 1988.

Faith Issues (Jude 22)

Jude 22 ESV:2016

And have mercy on those who doubt;

Your spiritual pilgrimage has been a process and so is that other person who may be struggling with some issues at this time.

Notice this addresses those who “doubt”, not those who scoff or those who rebuff. This is not a call for anarchy!

Just as we get frustrated with the overbearing parent at the little league game who needs to remember that they’re only children, we need to show mercy toward those who continue to struggle with faith issues.

Sins of Others (1 Peter 4:8)

1 Peter 4:8 ESV:2016

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Some things should not be covered over. Peter speaks about sins, not crimes, and there’s an important difference. But there are a multitude of sins a merciful person covers over when he realizes how much he has been forgiven.

My Own Expectations (Ps 103:14)

I readily admit that this is an area where I struggled as a parent. Our children and I frequently differed on what expectations are reasonable and which are unreasonable. Those who work on teams I lead can testify that I am High Expectation.

The psalmist poetically reminds us that God knows our limitations:

Psalm 103:14 ESV:2016

For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

Personal Offenses (Eph 4:32)

I guarantee there will be times that your feelings will get hurt [again?!] by another believer, whether by intention or accident.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV:2016

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Often there will come an opportunity for you to get even. Will you be like Joseph when his brothers came to buy food or will you hold on to your offense. What is more important to you, being right or being reconciled?

Conclusion

Jesus is calling us to more than “smile and be nice.” Jesus is calling us to more than “do a good turn daily” or “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” He is calling us to “Do unto others what Christ did for you!”

Christ did not hold our iniquities against us, but He lovingly displayed mercy by offering us what we do not deserve and giving the Holy Spirit to conform us to the righteousness of Christ until our faith becomes our sight.

Decades before a character in an animated movie sang, “Let it Go! Let it Go!”, A man encountered a horrendous loss. He could have become vengeful toward the Ship’s captain or the company for whom he worked. He could have become angry at God for actions that seemed unjust. But instead he was overcome by a sense of God’s mercy towards Him.

He wrote, My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought.

My sin, not in part, but the whole.

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul.

My challenge as we sing our song of response is to recall how much mercy we have received and permit that to prompt a merciful response towards others. The bottom of your notes page suggests some ways to become more merciful.

Light for my Path

Mercy is a forward-looking response rooted in a backward-looking kindness.

Lamps for my Steps

Head – Identify 1 person who “gets on your last nerve.”

Heart – Consider when the last time was that you were guilty of trying someone’s patience.

Hands – Purchase a $5 giftcard to a grocery or convenience store to keep in your wallet for the next time you are asked for a handout from someone in bondage..

Response Song#321 .....................................................”It is Well”

Benediction

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 ESV:2016

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.