06.01.2025. Sunday Sermon by Pastor Jeungbok Lee
Scripture: Matthew 6:7, Luke 10:29-37
Title: Blessed Are the Merciful

**Matthew 6:7**  
*"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."*

**Luke 10:29-37**  
*But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”*  
*In reply, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead (a person in desperate need of help). A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii (two days’ wages) and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’*  
*“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”*  
*The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”*  
*Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”*

Being merciful is synonymous with showing compassion. Thus, the parable of Jesus in Luke 10 is the most fitting to help us understand this concept.

### 1. Examining the Structure of the Sermon on the Mount to Preach About the Merciful
The Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount can be divided into two parts:  
The first part, verses 3-6, speaks of God’s people in the context of their relationship with God.  
The second part, verses 7-10, teaches about those who are blessed in their relationships with others.  

In the first part, those who are poor in spirit recognize before God that they are spiritually bankrupt due to sin. Those who mourn have a deep sorrow, realizing how their sins and the sins of others sever their relationship with God and destroy lives.  
The meek are those who fully submit to God’s will, as exemplified by Moses and Paul.  
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness seek to emulate Jesus in their lives and are zealous in establishing God’s justice in society. Thus, the characteristics of the blessed in verses 3-6 are virtues that begin and are fulfilled in a relationship with God.  

In contrast, the second part, verses 7-10, describes God’s people—true disciples of Jesus—who are blessed in their relationships with others. They are the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness’ sake.  
This distinction helps us understand the characteristics of those who are blessed.

### 2. Now, Let Us Speak About the Merciful
**2.1) Who Are the Merciful?**  
When we wonder who the merciful are, we often ask, “What actions do they take?” This is because it’s easier to understand and because it’s something we must practice. Many believers understand that if they show mercy, they will receive mercy. Today’s verse, Matthew 5:7, is written as a conditional statement. Similarly, Matthew 6:12, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” is also a conditional statement, leading some to mistakenly believe that we must forgive first to be forgiven. However, the overall teaching of Scripture on forgiveness is the opposite. The Bible teaches that because God first forgave us, we can forgive others. It teaches that because our merciful God first showed us mercy, we can become merciful and extend mercy to others.  

Yet, in our faith journey, we often think that by showing mercy and forgiveness, we will receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. This understanding distorts the truth of God’s freely given salvation through grace. It leads to an “N-shaped” faith, where we believe that by offering something to God first, He will repay us. However, Christianity is a “U-shaped” faith.

**2.2) Explaining the Concept of God’s Prior Mercy**  
What is a U-shaped faith?  
- God shows mercy (forgiveness) to sinners, granting salvation (first descending).  
- Those who receive salvation give thanks for God’s mercy (ascending) and show mercy and forgiveness to others.  
- God grants even more mercy to those who live mercifully (descending again).  
- Those who receive more mercy give thanks (ascending) and show mercy to those around them.  
- At the final judgment, those who lived mercifully will surely receive God’s mercy and forgiveness (they will be shown mercy).  

Do not forget this proper order of understanding. This truth clearly distinguishes Christianity from other religions. Our Christian faith is a faith of grace, a U-shaped faith. To aid in this understanding, let us read the Scriptures:

**1 John 4:19-20**  
*“We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”*

**Romans 5:8**  
*“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”*

We did not first love God; God always loved us first (He sent His love down to us). God first showed mercy to us sinners. God first forgave our sins. Thus, through God’s merciful love, we received forgiveness for our sins. Those who are forgiven give thanks to God and, as evidence of that forgiveness, forgive others.  

Jesus showed mercy to those who were sick and blind, enslaved by sin. Those who first received salvation extend a merciful hand to others in difficulty and suffering as evidence of their salvation. However, if someone who claims to have received God’s mercy and forgiveness does not show mercy and forgiveness to others in need, it is as if they confess they have not truly received God’s mercy and forgiveness. Love, mercy, and forgiveness always begin with God. The evidence of this is revealed in our actions in life, like a living being breathing. The merciful are those who, having received God’s mercy, become merciful. Thus, at the final judgment of the just God, those who lived mercifully, despite occasionally sinning, will receive God’s mercy and forgiveness—they will be shown mercy.

**2.3) What Does It Mean to Live as One Who Has Received God’s Mercy?**  
It refers to generous acts that rescue someone from distress or bondage. We were saved from slavery to sin.  
In the Gospels, mercy sometimes means forgiveness that frees from the bondage of guilt, or it refers to acts of salvation, such as healing or giving. Healing and giving appear more frequently.  
In Matthew 5:2, acts of charity, or in Matthew 18:21-35, where Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive and Jesus responds, “Seventy-seven times,” forgiveness includes mercy. In Matthew 25:31-46, when the Son of Man returns to judge the sheep and goats, the goats did not feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, or care for the sick. Jesus pronounced eternal punishment on them because their lack of mercy was evidence that they had never received God’s mercy. Ultimately, at the final judgment, they are rejected by God’s mercy and face eternal punishment.  

The Pharisees were the ones most severely rebuked for their lack of mercy. Jesus rebuked them, saying, *“You have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness”* (Matthew 23:23). God even declared that He desires mercy more than sacrifices (Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:13). Through Hosea, the last prophet of northern Israel, God had him marry a prostitute (representing Israel) to demonstrate His unending love (mercy) and restoration. At the same time, Hosea proclaimed God’s judgment on northern Israel’s idolatry and sin. Until the very end, God showed His mercy, desiring that they turn and become merciful.  

Jesus clearly taught what God desires of us: *“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”* (Luke 6:36).  
Thus, living as a merciful person means responding to God’s mercy by helping those in need. Our merciful God sent His only Son, Jesus, to save us from being exploited by Satan as slaves to sin. Jesus healed the sick and shared meals with the marginalized. Similarly, caring for those in difficulty, visiting the sick, and comforting the marginalized is what it means to live as a merciful person.

**2.4) Recognizing That We Can Show Misguided Mercy**  
God is undoubtedly a merciful God, but He is also a God of justice and truth. He judges lawlessness with justice. Jesus came to forgive the sins of humanity and told Peter to forgive “seventy-seven times.” Yet, in Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus said that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.  

It is natural for Christians to be merciful, as it reveals God’s mercy to the world and confirms that we are God’s children. However, this does not mean we should overlook those who insult God, persist in sin, or act against God’s truth with a smile. Being merciful does not mean being passive, never getting angry, or accepting everything. The Bible does not call a lack of righteous anger against diluted sin—sin mixed like watered-down wine—mercy. Of course, we must care for those in difficulty, the naked, and those in suffering. However, giving material help to everyone in need is not always showing mercy. For example, if a poor person uses money to buy alcohol, gamble, or even purchase drugs, giving them money is not an act of mercy but enables sin and leads to a more miserable state. Thus, helping a poor person sustain harmful behavior by giving money is a misguided act of mercy.  

Therefore, the merciful must act with discernment and wisdom, considering what pleases God.  
Consider the merciful actions of the Good Samaritan. He saw a man near death and recognized his need for help. Despite the potential danger of robbers, he did not hesitate to show mercy. At the inn, he did his utmost to ensure the injured man’s recovery, bandaging his wounds and providing extra money for his care during recovery. This is what it means to show true mercy—providing practical help that benefits those in need.

**2.5) The Transformation That Comes from a Proper Understanding of Mercy**  
Those who were slaves to sin and Satan but were freed by God’s merciful grace clearly know who they were. They also recognize that others who do not believe are likewise enslaved by sin and Satan. Thus, those who have received God’s mercy develop compassion for those who do not yet believe in Jesus as their Savior. They see them as beings who need to be freed from the misery of slavery to sin.

### 3. Conclusion
Being merciful begins with a change in heart, reflected in our speech and how we treat others. When we see those who do not believe in Jesus, we feel compassion and show mercy even toward their wrong actions. As those who have received God’s mercy, we see them through merciful eyes and share the good news of Jesus. However, we do not treat sinners as filth to be avoided; we distinguish between sin and the sinner.  

The attitude and actions of believers, as those who have first received God’s mercy, must reflect God’s mercy. To God’s children who live showing mercy, our abundantly merciful God grants even more mercy. Moreover, as we live as merciful people, we become confident that we have received God’s mercy, overflowing with joy. Ultimately, we hope that on the final day of judgment, we will not face a fearful judgment but experience God’s abundant mercy.  

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