Part of Jesus' teaching was to proclaim good news to those who were in need. In the second half of the beatitudes he does this by giving blessings to the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted. Jesus wanted to announce that to be a part of his kingdom is full of people like this. This is a message of hope for us today as well. As part of God's kingdom, we will be shown mercy, we will see God, we are God's children, and we will inherit the kingdom of heaven.