Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. (Matthew 9:13)
I was thinking this morning that this whole chapter displays Jesus demonstrating what it means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”
He showed mercy to the paralytic sinner.
He showed mercy to Matthew and his friends.
He showed mercy to the bleeding woman and the dead girl’s family.
He showed mercy to the two blind men.
He showed mercy to the demon-possessed man.
He showed mercy to the crowds of people who were distressed and dejected like sheep without a shepherd.
And I was thinking that as much as the Pharisees needed to learn what “God desires mercy and not sacrifice” means, I do too.
God is not so interested in my “religiosity.” He wants me to have His heart—a merciful heart towards people in a broken world that desperately needs its King.
Lord, help me have your heart.