Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Matthew 9:13
The story is told of a worship service that took place at a church in Tanzania, Africa. When it came time for the offering, the choir sang and people came forward placing grain, produce, and other things into a large basket—but very little money. The account says, “They did it joyously, enthusiastically, giving to God a portion of what they had.” Offerings are important things, particularly those done sacrificially. However, Jesus told the Pharisees, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” God is calling for what is truly important. He told them to go and learn just what that means.
In the context of today’s verse, Jesus and His disciples were having dinner with Matthew and other tax collectors “and sinners.” The Pharisees, bound up in their legalism and self-righteousness, were not happy to see the Rabbi Jesus with such people. The Pharisees needed to remove their blinders and understand that Jesus was all about compassion and love. One commentary says, “This passage is a direct rebuke of the empty ritual of the Pharisees which neglected the true intent of God’s law. In a word, they practiced ceremony without compassion!” Jesus directed them to go back to the Scriptures and read passages like Hosea 6:6, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
God desires more than what you put in the offering. You do not need to go on a mission trip to Tanzania to show mercy – a mission trip to help serve sandwiches to the homeless in your city could be what He leads you to do. Micah 6:8 states, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” It may be necessary for you to take a step back to do as Jesus said and go and learn what it is that God desires from you. Justice, humility, and mercy are His requirements. Then let your song be, “Here I am, Lord; it is I Lord. I have heard you calling in the night.” He longs to fulfill His purpose for you, including increasing your compassion for others.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 9:3
Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 9:9-13
9 As 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.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
