The Merciful Ones

Greeting

Isaiah 2:3 ESV

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.

Good morning, and welcome to the Mountain. God invites us here, into his presence to know him and to better know ourselves. This is a time of worship and reflection as we offer our hearts to God. To our visitors, thank you for joining us this morning. I pray your hearts find connection with God through our time together. Please scan the QR code in front of you and let us know what’s on your mind.

Grabber

The crucifixion is the darkest moment in human history—when humanity rejected God by killing his Son. Surely, God had similar feelings as when he wanted to destroy Israel for their sin Exodus 32:10 “Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.”” Certainly, those wanting to kill Jesus deserved the hottest part of hell, the most searing fires possible. But, like Moses generations before Jesus simply said, Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

That’s the kind of mercy we trust in, hope for, and live by because we are all guilty of sin. Sin against ourselves. Sin against others. Sin against God. We need mercy. But it is more than just the compassion we need, it is the compassion we must show.

Introduction

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has set forth four principles for internal Kingdom Living: poor in spirit, mourning, meekness, and hungering for righteousness. All of these govern our internal view of ourselves before God. Instead of a grand quest to distant lands, Jesus sends us on a journey within ourselves. However, with the fifth beatitude, Jesus tells us to turn our focus outward. Kingdom Living impacts how we treat others as well as ourselves.

He begins the outward list with mercy. We cannot change the world by living just like the world, and one of the most important qualities we can share with others is mercy. It is how our inward holiness expresses itself to our community.

Who are the merciful ones, and how can we be sure we are in that group? Let’s look at the character and consequence of mercy.

Discussion

The Character: Merciful

Matthew 5:7 ESV

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

The first century world had a merciless history. Ancient civilizations were notorious for imperialism, slavery, cruel warfare, and to the victor goes the spoils. The Romans in particular were well known for their militaristic ways of “show no mercy,” and “give no quarter.” Slogans for the famed and feared Pax Romana. Peace achieved by assured destruction.

The Jews with a history of being oppressed and abused, should have been lights of mercy in the dark Roman world. Yet, in some ways the first century Jews were less merciful through their self-righteous, haughty, condescending attitudes. Snubbing the poor and marginalized, and utter hatred of the Gentiles.

Jesus said of them, Matthew 23:23 ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

The blind man from John 9 did not fit their narrative that Jesus was of the devil. So when he receives his sight, they can only find contempt and judgement for him. What should have been a celebration became excommunication!

Against this backdrop, God appeared in the flesh to show the world true mercy.

Luke 17:12–13 “And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.””

Mark 10:47 “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!””

Mark 1:41 “Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.””

Jesus went about doing good. He demonstrated compassion. He touched the untouchables, gave hope to the hopeless, opened the ears of the deaf, and gave sight to the blind. He received those discarded by polite society and forgave the sins of the most hated. He was the perfect example of mercy and compassion.

Then he called his disciples to show the same kind of mercy. Mercy means to show compassion or pity. In judgment, it refers to withholding a just punishment. Mercy is having the right or authority to enforce punishment, but not demanding the retribution.

The Consequence: Receive Mercy

Matthew 5:7 ESV

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Some understand this to mean that if we show mercy to others, others will then show mercy to us. However, this altruistic philosophy simply does not hold up. Jesus, the perfect example of mercy and compassion received hatred, abuse, and crucifixion in return. Then he said John 15:18 ““If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” We are the disciples of the one rejected by the world!

Instead, Jesus appears to be talking about receiving ultimate mercy from God. It is not meant to be a new plan of salvation, “If you show mercy, then God will save you.” We already have the initial mercy we receive at baptism. Rather, this is a continuation of holiness, a God-likness, that we ought to strive for in our lives. James 2:13 “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

It reminds us of the parable of the unmerciful servant who received mercy from the king who forgave his impossible debt, then refused to show mercy to his fellow servant. When the king found out, he withdrew his own mercy (Matt 18:23-35).

Application

The world needs mercy. Our nation needs mercy. We need mercy. Civility, deference, peace. It is almost like we have taken up the Roman philosophy of peace—the only way to obtain it is to destroy anything that doesn’t affirm your beliefs. We want Justice when we’ve been wronged and only begg for mercy when we are wrong. What a perfect time for Christians to show mercy, especially for those who oppose righteousness and the glory of God?

How do we show such mercy?

Remember your brokenness (Matt 18:23-35)

Take action, James 2:14–16 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”

Meet the need. (Mark 1:41)

Take the hit. (Luke 10:34–35 “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. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’”

So, What?

Do you want mercy that will last eternity? Give mercy now.