This week we are considering the fifth Beatitude,
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.’ (Matthew 5:5)
We can define mercy as undeserved generosity or compassion in action.
This week’s Beatitude makes it clear that we are to show mercy as we have been shown mercy by God. ‘Compassionate action’ is to pour out of our lives and the church. Too often when we speak of this kind of subject, we can quickly talk about how others are failing. Jesus wants to speak to you about your heart! Jesus is not asking you to take your cue from others, but to take your cue from Him who laid His life down for sinners!
Let’s take a moment to read The Parable of the Good Samaritan
“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 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 travelled, 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 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 neighbour 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.” (Luke 10:30-37)
Jesus ends with “Go and do likewise”. That’s what you and I need to do! We are to allow the love of Jesus to flow out of us.
A prayer that I’ve come across several times recently is this by Reinhold Niebuhr.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
In response to what we’ve read in this parable, take some time to pray using this as a starter, but replace ‘courage’ with ‘mercy’; I believe that love is more powerful than courage!
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COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
What have been your 'highs' and 'lows' this week?
Introduction - please share in your group
This week in our discipleship series, we are considering the fifth of the Beatitudes,
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
We can define mercy as undeserved generosity or compassion in action.
The Parable of The Good Samaritan is a great example of the kind of mercy that we are to show. The Parable ends with Jesus saying,
“Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)