Tag: mercy not sacrifice
Mercy over sacrifice!
Scripture reading for April 21st: Matthew 12, Psalm 80, Proverbs 18
Matthew 12: 9-14 “He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”--so that they might accuse Him. He said to them, “Which of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, how to destroy Him.”
Jesus was continually trying to instruct the religious leaders on the real heart of God: showing mercy over keeping rules or sacrifice. They continually sought to trap Him or judge Him in matters concerning the law. Here, they confronted Jesus about if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Was healing forbidden as a form of work that did not honor God’s Sabbath commandment? Jesus gave them a simple truth about taking a fallen sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath and them told them that people were much more valuable than a sheep. He healed the man’s hand as a demonstration of mercy from God. They refused instruction like fools, and sought to destroy the Messenger of God’s Truth. This still happens today.
Psalm 80:17-19 “But let Your hand be on the Man of Your right hand, the Son of Man Whom You have made strong for Yourself! Then we shall not turn back from You; give us life, and we will call upon Your Name! Restore us, O Lord God of Hosts! Let Your face shine, that we may be saved!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to help us understand the heart of God and the depth of meaning in Your laws. Help me to understand how to be merciful instead of judgmental. Correct me when I become like those Pharisees. Use me today to demonstrate Your mercy to those in need of healing and the Good News of a Savior Who is merciful and forgiving.
Proverbs 18:2 “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”
Calling all ‘sinners’!
Scripture reading for April 18th: Matthew 9, Psalm 77, Proverbs 15
Matthew 9: 9-13 “Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he rose and followed Him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when He heard it, He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.””
All men are ‘sinners’ and are in need of healing. Self-realization of this truth can come only to those humble enough to listen to the Master and open their heart to truth. Matthew, a notorious tax collector, heard the call of Jesus and decided to follow. He was so overcome, he invited all his friends, many who were also hated tax-collectors, to come and dine with Jesus and listen to His teaching. As Jesus sat and ate with these ‘sinners’, the religious community had questions and disdain that Jesus would defile Himself. Jesus gently asked them to go and find out the meaning of ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ Jesus came to show God’s mercy for those needing it most and recognizing that truth.
Psalm 77:13-14 “Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God Who works wonders; You have made known Your might among the peoples.”
Prayer: Father God, You alone are holy and full of mercy and compassion for those most sinful and worthy of judgment. Thank You for gently correcting those who mis-understood You and were judging others. Help me to see others with Your eyes and to show mercy through preaching Jesus Christ and Your Gospel of grace through faith. Make my tongue a tree of life through the Holy Spirit empowering me.
Proverbs 15:3-4 “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”