Blessed are the merciful

So in the midst of this, in the middle of this manifesto of "set apart" living … Jesus says these words

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy"

Justice is getting what you deserve. We are all too familiar with justice … we learn it from a young age, "it's not FAIR"

Mercy is receiving something that you do not deserve.  (it almost goes against our grain … and it's rarely our first response) but it feels so much different when we do respond that way … almost otherworldly , perhaps because it literally is otherworldly

In other words, Jesus is claiming that "I am on your side, I am with you when you grant to those what they don't deserve (not an eye for an eye) because then you too will be given what you don't deserve … forgiveness, grace, redemption

It's the flashing of lights, being pulled over when you knew you were speeding, and then being let off with only a warning … that's mercy, getting what you don't deserve

It's acceptance, it is a hand up to those who are living their own consequences, it is forgiveness

It is also allowing others (those you are not personally involved with) mercy …

How you extend mercy

How you allow mercy to be extended

Gospel example:

Matthew 9:

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

In other words … be people of mercy (love and grace) not people of the law (judgement and separation)

"INVITING the marginalized to the table not only made them equals; it made Jesus their "friend." … The Pharisees viewed this behavior as subversive to their conviction of what Israel needed for true social ordering; Jesus saw it as a manifestation of a new way of holiness based on mercy."

Michael H. Crosby, Spirituality of the Beatitudes

Living it out in Seattle

The challenge is not to "be part of Common Table" simply because we tend to seek out ways to extend mercy … the challenge is to become a "merciful person" yourself

How?

The good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)… (read …. "actually the parable of the "merciful Samaritan")

Mercy:

• Feels
• Acts
• Sacrifices

it's rarely our first response) but it feels so much different when we do respond that way … almost otherworldly,

Perhaps because it is, and something deep within us knows this to be true, and we feel deep within us the deepest extension of mercy granted to us

Kingdom practice -  Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy

Prayers of mercy – As you reflect on mercy this week, who comes to mind as someone who has wounded you? As they come up, practice this prayer.

        Place your hands open in front of your chest and pour out your heart to God. Imagine you are spilling out the contents of your heart into your hands and offering it to God. Be honest about what bothers you about this person. How you have been hurt by him or her withholding mercy?

        Keeping your hands in front of you, humbly put yourself in the other’s place. How might he or she be bothered by you? Is there some way you have failed to extend mercy?

        Now consider with God what needs to change within you to be able to show mercy to this person. What are some specific actions you can take to extend mercy?

        Finally, explore with God what would need to change within you to be able to receive mercy from this person. He or she may not be ready to extend mercy, but what would you need to do to be ready?

Eyes of mercy – Choose to be intentional about seeing the image of God in others this week. C.S. Lewis said “you have never talked to a mere mortal.” How can you recognize the presence of God in everyone you interact with this week in your car, at the store, in the office, and in your home? What would it look like for you to see people with whom you disagree with eyes of mercy?

Words of mercy – How can you show mercy and compassion in your speech this week? Make a commitment to avoid all critical speech. Choose to hold your tongue when you are tempted to criticize someone, speak ill of someone behind their back, post a negative comment on social media, and engage in negative self-talk. In the place of critical speech, intentionally speak words of encouragement and affirmation. Extra credit if you speak words of affirmation directly to the people you would normally criticize.