Mercy, not Sacrifice

“Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9) Jesus took another step outside of the box when He invited a “Tax Collector” to be one of His disciples. As we read on we discover that Jesus went to Matthew’s house for dinner and many tax collectors as well as sinners were there for the meal.

The Pharisees must have had scouts on every corner because they knew where Jesus was eating that night. They were incensed that He would eat with such scum of society. Tax collectors often collected more than required to pad their own pockets. The Romans really didn’t care as long as they were getting their share.

Jesus’ response to the Pharisees inquisition was, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The Pharisees were diligent on daily prayers, offerings and sacrifices but negligent in their level of love, compassion and mercy for the lost, the hurting and the rejected of society. This episode builds on yesterday’s story of the Samaritan woman. But the statement for us to contemplate today is, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Does our mercy and compassion for the lost at least equal or surpass our sacrifices to God? (Giving, going to Church, spending time in the Word, etc.)

Things that matter to Christ ought to matter to us as well. Christ clearly cared about the lost. Let’s follow His example!