Matthew 5:7

The Message version:
You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

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

Wikipedia.org defines Mercy this way:
Mercy is a term used to describe the leniency or compassion shown by one person to another, or a request from one person to another to be shown such leniency or compassion. One of the basic virtues of chivalry and Christian ethics, it is also related to concepts of justice and morality in behaviour between people.

Caring for others - Jesus said we will be blessed when we do this. I like how The Message states it that we'll find ourselves cared for when we care. It's contrary to much of our culture to care about others. It seems like I'm constantly bombarded with messages about self focus: you deserve a break today, you need to be good to yourself, work to love yourself, look out for #1. I look around me and often I see a grasping attitude; it seems that the thought process is that one has to grab everything one can for oneself to ensure what gets one's fair portion. But Jesus presented a whole different way of thinking for His followers; in His kingdom the thinking is that you are always looking out for the other guy. That you have a lifestyle that chooses to always be thinking about how you can do good for the other person. Tthe amazing thing that goes contrary to our common culture thinking today, is that when we are constantly looking out for others we will find ourselves being constantly looked out for. I think that means we'll be looked out for by God and other people. What a delightful way to live!

I want to look at some other scriptures that parallel this thought:

Psalm 18:25-27 (The Message)
The good people taste your goodness,
The whole people taste your health,
The true people taste your truth,
The bad ones can't figure you out.
You take the side of the down-and-out,
But the stuck-up you take down a peg. This same thought-merciful, careful - gets translated here as good, whole, true. God is showing us that people who live this kingdom lifestyle taste His goodness, health and truth. But those who are bad can't figure it out - it doesn't make sense. Those who are building up themselves will end up being taken down.

Luke 6:37-38 (The Message)
Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.

Wow does my soul need the words of Jesus! Sometimes I jump on the failures of those closest to me because those failures bug me. Sometimes I'm selfish and want my ease/comfort/own way. But Jesus shows me a different way than that which comes so easily to me; He says to give away my life and then I'll get back so much more.

I like to hear what others think & say about things. I especially liked the following thoughts on this topic:

Jamieson, Fausett and Brown:
"Not that our mercifulness comes absolutely first. On the contrary, our Lord Himself expressly teaches us that God's method is to awaken in us compassion towards our fellow men by His own exercise of it, in so stupendous a way and measure, towards ourselves."

God did so much for me. The word says that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). I am acutely aware of how unworthy I am of His goodness - yet He still gives it!

B.W. Johnson:
" The merciful, those who, instead of resenting injury, are ready to forgive, shall obtain the divine mercy. The fifth petition of the Lord's prayer implies that we must forgive if we expect to be forgiven. "

Sometimes I resent injury; yet here I am encouraged to forgive as I've been forgiven.

Matthew Henry:
" One of the purest and most refined delights in this world, is that of doing good. In this word, Blessed are the merciful, is included that saying of Christ, which otherwise we find not in the gospels, It is more blessed to give than to receive"

I like how Matthew Henry states that it is a delight we can have - to do good. When I feel discouraged or disheartened, it does me well to look at how I can do good for others instead of focusing on my downcast feelings.