Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
The first four beatitudes consider the picture of the life of the believer who has received the grace of God. The three following beatitudes discuss what that grace looks like in the life of the believer as they live it out.
If we as believers are rightly planted in God, our life should yield fruit that looks like the King and the Kingdom that we are planted in. It is not outside of the bounds of possibility for unbelievers to show mercy on occasion, but the merciful person to which Jesus refers in this passage has a bent toward showing mercy. This person does not show mercy on occasion, but leans toward mercy in every circumstance.*
The person who occasionally and sparingly sows apple seeds on a field may reap nothing at all as birds and harsh sunlight and merciless winds carry away and destroy those seeds. However, the person who sows generously out of the understanding of who they are as an apple farmer will one day receive a harvest of apples. This picture of the sower of apple seeds is much like the one bent toward mercy.
The one who shows mercy as a bent of who they have been by grace redeemed to be stands to harvest/receive mercy much more often in this world. Assuredly, we can see this truth in the land of the living, but Jesus speaks of the eternal.
Jesus speaks of an eschatological mercy that those who have received grace will receive one day. Meaning, the promise of mercy in the day of judgment that comes at the end of all things awaits those who have allowed the grace of God to change their hearts.
The somber reality of this promise is that we must not fool ourselves into thinking that we have allowed the good work of the Lord to transform our lives by producing the occasional act of mercy from our own strength. We must not fool ourselves into thinking that we have allowed the grace of God to transform us just because we sit in church on occasion, carry seeds in our pocket, or subscribe to the right devotionals or channels. We must pause long enough to allow God to show us our own hearts. We must allow Him to transform us into merciful people that look like Him.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to show mercy. Have you received it? Perhaps God wants you to receive His mercy and grace today to transform your heart. Maybe God wants to show you knew ways and new people to show His mercy to. Maybe God wants to help you to rest in the knowledge that your future is secure in Him.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 100.