MERCY

Jesus uses a variant of the Hebrew word ‘chesed’ here for mercy. William Barclay describes chesed this way: ‘Mercy means the ability to get right inside other people until we can see things with their eyes, think things with their minds, and feel things with their feelings.’ Whilst it includes lavish forgiveness beyond what is owed, it is more than that. When we view the world through the eyes of another, we will be led to respond, not with revenge or anger, but with empathy - literally putting ourselves in the shoes of another. It is the exact opposite of holding a grudge or plotting revenge - where my feelings and satisfaction take priority.

Throughout Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, he showed us the way of mercy. He called us as a community to live as he did. Mercy chooses to act in selfless ways, healing relationships, offering grace, and finding new ways forward. This Beatitude is two-way—as we give mercy, so we will receive it. As we act with mercy, we are freed from bitterness, broken relationships, and the sin that binds us.

Following on from mercy is purity of heart. Jesus continues focussing our attention inward to the source of our actions. Being pure of heart describes someone devoted to God, who lives with integrity. Taking note that the Beatitudes are corporate, Jesus encourages his hearers to consider a community with a pure heart as a community that is focused on God and reflects God’s ways in all they do and say. They have a ‘clean heart’, and pure motives - something that is challenging, when even in our best moments we often have mixed motivations. Our call to action here is for an unadulterated devotion to God.

The blessing for those pure of heart is that they will see God. What an incredible blessing! When we act with clear intentions, we have clear sight. Our integrity and devotion to God will deepen our relationship with our creator.

Reflect

Mercy is an action word. To help us remember to act with mercy, try to learn to say MERCY with your hands in sign language.

Pray

• Pray for situations where mercy is difficult to live out. Consider where you can extend mercy and pray about that situation.
• Pray for families who are separated or broken - that they will extend mercy to each other. And pray for those who work amongst families.
• Consider what purity of heart might look like in your local context. You may like to lament and identify where motives have been mixed or impure. You may like to celebrate times when there has been great unity of purpose and devotion to God.