[CYM] 44.0 Be Merciful

Yeshua consistently taught that mercy is a defining trait of those who belong to God’s kingdom. To be merciful is to reflect the very character of God, who is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4) and compassionate toward the undeserving.

In Luke 6:36, Yeshua gives a direct command:

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
This command comes at the end of His teaching on loving enemies, doing good to those who hate you, blessing those who curse you, and forgiving others. It emphasizes that mercy isn’t passive—it’s active compassion toward others, especially those who may not “deserve” it.

In Matthew 5:7, Yeshua says in the Beatitudes:

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Here, mercy is both a command and a condition of receiving God’s mercy—highlighting the reciprocal nature of grace in the kingdom of heaven.

Yeshua also reinforces the command to be merciful through parables. In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23–35), a man forgiven a great debt refuses to forgive a fellow servant. The parable ends with a warning:

O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

While Mark and John don’t use the word “mercy” as directly, the theme is deeply woven into Yeshua’ actions—especially His compassion toward sinners, the sick, and the outcast.

Across the scripture, Yeshua commands His followers to live with merciful hearts, extending God’s grace to others just as they have received it.