The golden rule

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

It’s a very simple thing – do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  It seems so common sense that it’s almost hard.  When we really think about it, this is just a normal part of living.  It’s how we react to the people around us isn’t it?  When they are bad to us, we are bad right back.  When they talk about us, we talk bad about them too. 

It’s like we have an, “I’ll shoot you deader” mentality.  But Jesus’ words here are pretty direct – show mercy, be shown mercy.  I think the opposite is probably just as true – don’t show mercy, don’t expect mercy.  But we don’t like to think about that side of the coin.  We don’t like to think that our negative treatment of other people could result in someone treating us negatively. 

Be merciful and you’ll see the blessing.  That’s what Jesus is saying.  Not only will we be treated mercifully by those around us but our Father in Heaven will show us mercy.  Mercy quite simple is not getting what we deserve.  When someone hurts us, our human nature says to get them back with a vengeance!  But God’s nature says to forgive them and restore them to a right relationship again. 

If you don’t know what mercy looks like – just look to the cross. It’s the ultimate picture of God’s mercy.  God showed us mercy in that while we were still sinners he sent Jesus to die for us.  That means that we don’t have to pay the piper!  The debt is already paid.  God showed us mercy by taking all of our junk, all of our sin, all of our failures and hurts and putting them on his son.  Now we don’t have to carry them anymore.  Because of  this mercy shown to us we now know how to show mercy.  We know that because of God’s mercy toward us, can live showing mercy to those who hurt us. 

Lord thank you for your mercy toward me.  Remind me of that mercy every day.  Help me to be more merciful with my family, co-workers, neighbors, and even my enemies today.  Amen.