THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 9:9-13
“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'” (Matthew 9:13)
For the Jews, obeying God’s laws was of topmost importance.
God commanded the sacrifices as part of Moses’ Law, therefore they must obey.
God commanded separation from sin and sinners also, therefore they must obey.
The problem is that they misunderstood God’s commands against sin and sinners.
The intent was to keep from sinning, not to keep them from loving.
The Jews turned ‘holiness’ (not sinning) into a sin (not loving).
God remains separate from sinners in sin, but not separate from sinners in mercy.
Jesus does not join the ‘sinners’ in their sin, but He does join them in mercy.
To help them, to restore them, to show them the way into God’s love and goodness.
Mercy has always been God’s desire and God’s way.
How else could He have a relationship with Israel, or with anyone?
We need to learn what this means too, as we deal with our own questions of holiness.
As society’s views on morality and faith change, how do we as Jesus followers respond?
How do we relate to someone whose morality is a concern?
Too many Christians are following the way of the Pharisees.
We too need to learn what this phrase means: God desires mercy, not sacrifice!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help us to excel at mercy, even as we struggle to know what holiness is.
Jesus sought out those who needed Him. Those who were the outcasts of society. The unlovable. Those who were down and out because of their occupation, life style, addictions, etc. And we still today, we are not like Christ unto them.
God’s grace was and still is for all people. AS He associated with those ‘who needed a doctor’ so must we to be His instruments of peace.
Help me Lord to give Your love to all for I too am a forgiven sinner.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.