Tuesday, 12 November 2024
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7
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“Blessed – the compassionate,
For they – they will be compassionated” (CG).
Jesus continues the Beatitudes in this verse, beginning with, “Blessed – the compassionate.”
The word is eleémón, merciful or compassionate. It can even be translated as being full of pity. It is found only here and in Hebrews 2:17. It is derived from the verb eleeó, to actively have pity on or be merciful to. That will be seen in the next clause.
Both words are most commonly rendered as merciful. However, the words are so similar that to keep from adding a lot of extra words to define mercy, which is necessary in the verb form, the word compassionate makes for a simpler translation. This is seen in the words, “For they – they will be compassionated.”
A single word describes the act. But what does it mean to receive mercy or be compassionated based on one’s own conduct? A good example of this being worked out in a parable is that of the unforgiving servant of Matthew 18 –
“Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, “Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, “Pay me what you owe!” 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.’” Matthew 18:22-35
Life application: As believing Christians, we should be more aware of this than any others. We, like all humans, stood at enmity with God. We stood in a state of eternal condemnation, forever to be separated from God. But God took the first step, a step that did not need to be taken, and sent Jesus to bring us out of that state –
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10
As this is so, and because we were completely undeserving of the salvation we have been granted, shouldn’t we do our best to be merciful and compassionate to others as well? The greatest sinner is no different than you were. To withhold at least a simple explanation of Jesus to them is the exact opposite of what God in Christ had done for you.
It doesn’t matter what color their skin is, what political party they hold to, or what type of perversion they are engaged in, you were just as lost and separated from God as they are. The only difference is that someone took the time to share the gospel with you. Are you going to be like the unmerciful servant? When you stand before the Lord at the Bema seat of Christ, there will be a price to pay for your uncaring, uncompassionate heart.
Be sure not to have such a meeting. Instead, change your mind and be willing to share the good news of Jesus!
Lord God, give us wisdom on how to conduct our lives before You. We have all kinds of biases, and a cold streak can easily come up in us and get us to stop doing what we should be doing. Regardless of how we look at others, give us the eyes to look at them as You do. They are people deserving of hearing the gospel. What they do with that is up to them. Help us in this, O God. Amen.