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Part 5 of a special eight part series, A New Look at the Beatitudes, using The New Testament: An Expanded Translation, by Kenneth Wuest.

“Spiritually prosperous are those who are merciful, because they themselves shall be the objects of mercy.”
–Matthew 5:7

“W
ith the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright,” (Psalms 18:25) sang David, and Solomon his son wrote: “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul.” (Proverbs 11:17)

Mercy is singled out in this beatitude to represent all other virtues in relation to other people, because whatever the positive behavior may be there is always at least a touch of mercy there. Furthermore, mercy carries within it lack of ego, kindness, good will, and love.

This beatitude also sets forth the law of karma, of sowing and reaping, (“Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).) assuring us that all right actions come back to us in the form of blessings. [“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14; see Mark 11:25). “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble” (Psalms 41:1). “He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he” (Proverbs 14:21). “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again” (Proverbs 19:17). “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity” (Daniel 4:27).]

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-40)

“For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (I John 4:20)

Next: Part 6 of A New Look at the Beatitudes – Clean to the Core of Our Being.

Previous posts in this series:
• What Did Jesus Really Say in the Sermon on the Mount?
• The Kingdom of Heaven According to Jesus
• What Jesus Really Means by Meekness
• When Craving is a Good Thing

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