Blessed are the Merciful Matthew 5:7

Matthew shared how Jesus was “baptized” and “tempted” by the “devil”, and he shared how “angels” ministered to Him afterward. Jesus heard that John the Baptist was thrown into prison, and He left His hometown to dwell in “Capernaum” where He began His ministry. Jesus began to preach saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be His followers. Jesus' fame spread throughout Galilee so that many other people were gathered unto Him. Matthew continued, “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him, and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled”, and in chapter five and verse seven of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus said, “blessed are the merciful” where we read:

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

The verse reads, “Blessed are the merciful:” Matthew began with the word, “blessed” which means “oh how happy, supremely fortunate and well off” “are the merciful” or “are the people who exhibit compassion, mercy and pity”. Jesus told His disciples that “merciful” people are “oh so happy”.

The verse continues, “for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew added the words, “for they” which means “because, since and on account that the merciful people” “shall obtain mercy” which means “will gain, experience and receive help when they are afflicted, seeking aid or have been wretched”. Jesus shared how “merciful” people will “gain and experience” “mercy” themselves.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how people who “extend” “mercy” to others, shall receive “mercy” in like kind. Those who have examined themselves and become “poor in spirit”, “mourners” and are “hungry and thirsty” for God's righteous ways will extend “mercy” to others who have similar shortcomings and passion. God desires a relationship with every person, and as Jesus shared these “beatitudes” within the “Kingdom of God” so all who read His words should be challenged to align themselves with God's righteous ways.

Next time Jesus tells His disciples, “blessed are the pure in heart”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.