Blessed are...

Pleasure in Blessing

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

Psalm 109 contains a description of an enemy whom the writer wishes to see condemned. The man’s crimes are not what we would expect. There is a hint of violence done, but that is all. The man is condemned because he has lied and used hateful words; he has exchanged friendship for accusation. But the Psalmist’s biggest complaint is not that his enemy has destroyed his home or murdered his family. His complaint is that his enemy “never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.”[1] The man loved to pronounce a curse; he found no pleasure in blessing.[2] What an indictment! The enemy is condemned because he seems to have lost the ability to express compassion. He is devoid of mercy.

Elements of this description fit a well-known character from the New Testament. Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, to the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. A dinner to honor Jesus was served, by Martha – naturally, while Lazarus reclined at the table. Then Mary came, ignoring the dishes, and poured a pint of expensive perfume over her Master’s feet. The whole house was filled with the fragrance. According to John, an objection was raised by Judas Iscariot.[3] The perfume had cost a great deal; the money could have been used for the poor (or lined Judas’ pocket[4]). There was duty in this response, but no kindness. Even if we do not doubt Judas’ motives, like the enemy in Psalm 109, his words seem devoid of mercy. Judas’ heart remained hard. And because he had not discovered the importance of mercy, he did not receive it.


Lord God,
May I never be Your enemy.
May I never stand against what is good.
May I never be so in love with truth that I cannot be kind.
Teach me the pleasure of blessing,
even as I have been blessed in Christ.
In His name.
Amen.



[1] Psalm 109:16
[2] Psalm 109:17
[3] John 12:4
[4] John 12:6