Christ’s Sermon on the Mount gives us a vision of what His Kingdom looks like. And it’s a kingdom that looks like our King. Christ blesses the merciful because He is a King full of mercy. He sees our need and responds, most clearly in coming to live, die, and rise again to rescue us from our sin and death. Dale Bruner said, “Being a merciful, forgiving, or loving person is not a condition for God’s grace, but it is a necessary consequence.” It’s what happens when we realize our poverty of spirit and the incredible riches of grace God has poured out on us. How can we not respond to others in need?