Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful” to teach that those who show compassion and forgiveness will receive mercy from God. This statement appears in the Beatitudes:
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
(Matthew 5:7)
Mercy involves more than feelings of pity; it is active compassion expressed through kindness, forgiveness, and helping those in need. God’s people reflect His character by extending mercy because He Himself is merciful:
“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
(Luke 6:36)
This mercy includes forgiving others when they wrong us. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 6:14–15:
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Mercy also moves us to relieve suffering and care for the needy, as seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33–37). Such acts demons/”>demonstrate love in action and obedience to God’s commands.
The promise attached to this beatitude is that the merciful “shall obtain mercy.” This does not mean earning salvation by good works; rather, it shows that those transformed by God’s grace naturally display mercy, and they will experience God’s mercy both now and eternally.
James 2:13 warns:
“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Jesus blesses the merciful because they reflect God’s nature, strengthen relationships, and testify to His grace. Those who show mercy can rest assured that God’s mercy will cover them on the Day of Judgment.
