Beattitudes- Blessed Are The Merciful by Ceci Sobolewski

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

By Ceci Sobolewski

I am writing this study during Holy Week.

I am writing to you, from the eyes of a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daugher-in-law, sister-in law, co-worker in the kitchen of Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital etc. (lest I leave any out) and sister in Christ. The role I hold dearest is the role of "Sister in Christ", which reigns over all my other roles. The world might not look at any of my roles in life as much, but the one of "Sister in Christ", certainly would not be looked upon as the important one, if looked upon at all. An upside down world. Much has been coming at me again lately, in my many roles in life, and I have had to fully lean on the one of "Sister in Christ" to a degree of "testing, or trial". I need to count this testing all joy, as James says in Chapter 1:2. Sometimes, it doesn't feel so good to be going through this testing, or trial. I know it leads to patience, and that I need to let patience have its perfect work, that I might be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:2-4). Mercy needs to be extended to others.

I also remember today, just before Good Friday, how Jesus could have walked away from the cross, (What testing, when He knew He wouldn't have to be there with such power at His command) leaving us standing seperated from Him and our Father and The Holy Spirit. But instead, He extended His mercy to us. Mercy brings us together. Forgiveness brings us together. "Forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Words of Jesus from the cross. Words that brought us life.

Jesus also said much about forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Wait a minute, " as we forgive our debtors ". I say those words very well. Does it always sink into my heart though? This is another teaching about mercy: forgiveness. But I must go there, to Calvary, to the Cross, to pain, to forgive, to extend mercy. Mercy is expected from God, to the point if we are not merciful, we will not be shown mercy! It says that right after the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:14 &15. Jesus said that, and still says that today. Mercy must be extremely important, if this is what Jesus says right after the words of the Lord's Prayer! He didn't key in on anything else immediately following the Lord's Prayer, just this about extending mercy.

We are also told of the story of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18: 21-35. Again, some powerful words about mercy. You might want to look this up in your bible. Or go to www.biblegateway.com or www.blueletterbible.com.

If we do not forgive a parent, sister, brother, co-worker, or anyone else, of a sin against us, (and there are some pretty awful things to be listed in the arena of sin) we will not be forgiven, and will not be released from the power of sin in our lives. Mercy is an upside down thing in this world's view, but a necessary thing to give, to live as believers in Christ. Holy Week is a huge reminder of this Jesus who loved and loves us so much, He took the penalty for our sin, became sin, took it away, and the power of it over us. He replaced it with His power of LOVE. A complete act of Mercy! Will you and I do the same, to show mercy, to love as Christ loved and loves us?

I really like my Noah Webster dictionary, and was going to type up many of the 9 definitions for mercy. However, the only one I am going to is this one: Eternal life, the fruit of mercy.
Need I say more?

My friends, I was led to keep my writing short and, "to the point" this time. So, I will leave my words here. The only other thing I will do is to ask a few questions:

1. Who do you and I need to forgive? Who has been causing me pain, that I need to be merciful to?

2. Can I be truly be merciful to someone whithout God's help to do so?

3. Do I know Christ as my Savior, having asked for His forgiveness and mercy, so I can extend it to others?

An Easter joyful cry: He has risen indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!