Have Mercy

Happy Sunday. When you were a child, did you play with dominoes? Not the game, I'm talking about setting them up on their ends close together. She could knock one down and watch the others fall and turn. Jesus is so logical in this Sermon on the Mount.

As we have looked at the Beatitudes, Jesus is being so very just perfect in his step-by-step fashion. We began with those poor in spirit. When that occurs, we know that we need a savior, because on our own we are spiritually bankrupt. Then comes Mourning, and after Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven," he said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." The dominoes are falling.

Once you realize you are poor in spirit, you mourn because of your condition. That's followed by "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." This step involves putting ourselves last. We submit ourselves to the will of God. We make sure that God is first, we make sure that others are second, and then we are third. Now, that's the exact opposite of the non-believer, who always will put themselves number one.

Last week we saw the natural conclusion of those who traveled from poor in spirit to mourning to meekness. What happens then is that leads to a right relationship with God. And last week we looked at "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Now, when that occurs, when we yield Our Lives to God, we begin to see great change in our Behavior.

And that brings us to today's verse, found in Matthew 5:7: "Blessed are the merciful, for They will receive Mercy." Mercy defined is a combination of Grace and forgiveness and compassion. Christians are to be known for their Mercy, or at least we should be. One good illustration is that Mercy is asking someone who's in a horrible situation, "What can I do to help you?" instead of asking that person, "How in the world did you get into this mess?"

You can find a great deal of scripture about Mercy. One of my favorites is in the Old Testament Book of Micah, chapter six. And The Book of Micah, God is not happy with Israel because of their ongoing sin. The prophet asked God in verse 6 and 7 of chapter six, "What is it that you want?" In a nutshell, Micah really asked, "What is it that you want, Lord? Burnt offerings are best? Calves as a sacrifice? Thousands of sheep? Rivers of oil? Do you want our firstborn? What can we give you?"

I want to read God's answer in verse 8 of Micah 6. What God requires, God says: "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." To do what is right, to love Mercy, to walk humbly with your god. I've always liked that verse. Did you notice that God requires that we love Mercy?

At the end of the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asked a question to those who heard the story. Jesus said, "Which one of the three, the priests, the levite, or the Samaritan, which one of the three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" Jesus goes on to say, "The one who showed him Mercy. Now go and do likewise." God expects us to show Mercy.

"Blessed are the merciful, for They will receive Mercy." Now, this does not mean that we earn Mercy by giving Mercy to others. It means that we will give Mercy to others because we have received God's mercy, and we want that for everyone. It has changed us that much.

My daughter-in-law was in the inner city of Chicago last week, volunteering with a mission group. I'm so proud of her. She was in the worst part of town with a group, giving haircuts and checkups and spiritual encouragement. To be honest, I was scared to death for her. I prayed a lot. Parts of Chicago are about as bad as it gets anywhere.

Now, many people would think those people are there as a result of bad choices. Those people deserve what they get; they've brought it on themselves. But when you're a person of Mercy, you don't ask the hurting to explain their condition. You reach out and do what you can do to heal and love and help and improve.

Remember what Jesus said: "Blessed are the merciful, for They will receive Mercy." "Go and do likewise." Do you know someone who's down and out and hurting? What can you do to help? Thanks for joining me today.

Let's pray. Father, we have not deserved it, but we have received your mercy. Help that to change us, the way we look at others, the way we look at problems, the way we look at this world, our neighbors, our family. We have been given much; help us to give. In Jesus name, amen. God bless. Thanks for being with me today.