The Life and Ministry of Jesus
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7
What is mercifulness? It is a gracious disposition toward my fellow creatures and fellow Christians. It is that kindness and benevolence that feels the miseries of others. It is a spirit that regards with compassion the sufferings of the afflicted. It is that grace that causes one to deal leniently with an offender and to scorn the taking of revenge.
It is the forgiving spirit; it is the non-retaliating spirit; it is the spirit that gives up all attempt at self-vindication and would not return an injury for an injury, but rather good in the place of evil and love in the place of hatred. That is mercifulness. Mercy being received by the forgiven soul, that soul comes to appreciate the beauty of mercy, and yearns to exercise toward other offenders similar grace to that which is exercised towards one’s self. (Dr. A. T. Pierson) 1
Personal Encouragement
Who do you need to show mercy towards? The more conscious I am of my indebtedness to Divine grace, the more mercifully I shall act toward those who wrong, injure, and hate me.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Matthew 9:13
When mercy is dispatched, mercy returns home.
A Prayer
Lord, teach me to show mercy, especially to those who deserve no mercy at all.
1. Pink, A. W. (2005). The Beatitudes and the Lord’s prayer. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
