show mercy, not offer sacrifices

Scripture:  Matthew 9:9-13–As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth.  “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him.  So Matthew got up and followed him.  Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.  Bit when the Pharisees saw this, they asked the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”  When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor–sick people do.”  Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’  For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Observation:  OK, here it is…conflict with the religious leaders.  Jesus has started doing his thing–healing, preaching, casting out demons, restoration.  Countless people experiencing the power and hope of God, the work of the Kingdom.  The life of Jesus produced fruit–immediate, lasting, life-changing fruit.  He displayed the power of God, compassion, and authority.  And the religious leaders didn’t like it.  They were offended because Jesus didn’t stick to the script.  He didn’t follow their traditions and ritual formalities.  Jesus tells them to go home and think about PURPOSE.  Is it God’s goal to get everyone to buy into lifeless ritual, or does he want to see people restored?  Jesus points out the difference between showing mercy and going through the motions of religion.  He calls them to choose between love and life-less tradition.

Application:  I can find myself squarely in the camp of the Pharisees.  It’s so easy to slip into the mindset of religion and church-ianity.  Jesus reminds me that it’s not about being busy offering the sacrifices, keeping the church machine in motion.  He has called us to show mercy, to show love to the people who are around us.  What can I do today that will show mercy to people who are in my community?

Prayer:  Jesus, help me to take your words to heart.  I don’t want to be busy offering the sacrifices while people around me go through life without mercy.  I don’t want to miss your Kingdom because I’ve been been too busy doing the “stuff.”  Lord, will you fill my heart fresh with your spirit?  Will you set me free from the life-less rituals and traditions, and open my eyes to the people around me?  Help me to show mercy…