• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Emerging Scholars Blog

InterVarsity's Emerging Scholars Network

DONATE
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Our Bloggers
    • ESN Writing Inquiries
    • Commenting Policy
  • Reading Lists
  • Scholar’s Compass
    • Scholar’s Compass Discussion Guide
    • Scholar’s Compass Posts
    • Scholar’s Compass Booklet
  • Connect
    • Membership
    • Events
    • Donate
    • Contact Us
Home » Devotions: Beatitudes (5) — Mercy

Devotions: Beatitudes (5) —Mercy

July 20, 2014 by Carl Shank Leave a Comment

Seven Works of Mercy (1607) by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1573 – 1610).

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  — Matthew 5:7

Probably next to love, no other character quality so defines God as that of “mercy”.

  • And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” — Exodus 33:19
  • “Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.” — Psalm 25:6
  • “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions” — Psalm 51:1
  • “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us . . .” — Ephesians 2:4

The believer who has experienced such mercy from God now is told in Christ’s kingdom he or she is to be “merciful.” An old Puritan definition of mercy is:

A melting disposition whereby we lay to heart the miseries of others and are ready on all occasions to be instrumental for their good. — Thomas Watson

Mercy is likewise granted to those who show mercy.

Resource Suggestion: Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service by Mary Poplin (InterVarsity Press, 2008) and the related  ESN Blog Series.

But what is mercy? Is it just a kind intention from a good heart? Is it just an emotional surge of pity for those less fortunate? Not really. Jesus made this clear in the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:33-37. Even the enemies of Jesus had to admit that “showing mercy” was the Samaritan literally picking up the injured man, putting him on his own pack animal, and taking him to a local inn and then giving the innkeeper the necessary money to care for him. It was an act, not just an intention or a feeling. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of mercy-showing is that of the late Mother Teresa, the celebrated nun who gave her life for the diseased of Calcutta, India.

Showing mercy does not, however, have to be in great deeds of compassion that many see. It can be as small, Jesus said, as giving water to a thirsty stranger (Matthew 25:35ff). Like Jesus we are to win the day with positive, patient, passionate care and life witness. I read a powerful message by Robert Lynn, one of the writers Chuck Colson used to speak to the current culture wars Christians face. He believes the evangelical church and evangelical Christians have been much too negative, much too legalistic, much too in the face of people instead of showing the compassionate care of Jesus. There is an old movie line that goes something like, “I know what you are against, but what are you for?”

Today, dear God of mercy, help me show mercy by my life and deeds. Let me be the hands and feet of Jesus today to someone in need. Help me see beyond the selfishness of those around me to the God who is always showing mercy, and in His Name, let me do the same.


Note: For the Beautitude series follow this  link.

Carl Shank
Carl Shank

A Christ-follower and mentor of leaders and churches whose life plan is to make an eternal difference in lives for Jesus Christ. Carl currently serves as the Executive Pastor of Cross Roads Brethren in Christ Church (Mount Joy, PA), President of Carl Shank Consulting, and as a Board Member of the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce. B. S. in Mathematics from Dickinson College. M. Div. and Th. M. from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia Campus). Carl’s insights have been a great encouragement to Thomas B. Grosh IV, Associate Director, Emerging Scholars Network. To God be the glory!

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • More
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Filed Under: Beatitudes, Christ and the Academy, Devotional Tagged With: Good Samaritan, jesus, mercy, Mother Teresa, Sermon on the Mount

Reader Interactions

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Become a Member

Membership is Free. Sign up and receive our monthly newsletter and access ESN member benefits.

Join ESN Today

Scholar’s Compass Booklet

Scholar's Compass Booklet

Click here to get your copy

Top Posts

  • The Message of Genesis 1
  • Mathematics Through the Lens of Faith: A Path For Integration
  • Faith and Reason, Part 3: Aquinas
  • A Prayer for Campus Ministries and Churches
  • A Christian Mathematician's Apology: Finding My Vocation

Facebook Posts

Facebook Posts

Footer

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Recent Posts

  • ESN Focus Groups – Sign Up and Share Your Ideas!
  • Sharing the Scholar’s Journey
  • Science Corner: “From a Certain Point of View”

Article Categories

Footer Logo
© 2025 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA®. All rights reserved.
InterVarsity, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, and the InterVarsity logo are trademarks of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA and its affiliated companies.

Member of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us