Mercy over Sacrifice

Despite my previous post on New Year's Resolutions, I started a Bible Reading Plan and for the umpteenth time I started reading Matthew and Genesis, as well as Acts and Ezra. Surprisingly, it's been two weeks and I am still reading. Even though I've read Matthew many times, this time I noticed a phrase that I don't remember being there. It was “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” I didn't really pay attention until it cropped up 3 chapters later.

They are both said by Jesus, quoting Hosea 6:6, and both times it is said in rebuke. It comes at the end of a well known passage in Matthew 9, “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.”” Then in Chapter 12 it says, “And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” Because both are directed at the Pharisees, they clearly had not learned in the time between when the verses were spoken.

So what does it mean? Mercy, in Hosea, is the Hebrew word Hesed which is translated “steadfast love”. Sacrifice in this instance is a reference to religious rituals, or sacrifices. So Jesus is telling the Pharisees, that Jesus and also God, that steadfast love for sinners in more important that mere rituals, or being “religious”. Too many Christians are just going through the motions, thinking that all it means to be a Christian is doing the right things, saying the right things and knowing the words to the right songs. Christianity is more than just a Sunday occurrence and our “good works” and perfect church attendance won't get us to heaven. We need to love, like Jesus loved, those around us.

I cannot remember the last time I shared the gospel with someone. How about you? If I were to cut through all my excuses and backsliding about sharing the gospel, my only excuse/the only reason I can find that I don't do it is because I don't love the sinners around me. If I believe that I know the good news, the only way the people around me are going to be saved from an eternity of suffering apart from God, and I do not not share it with them, isn't that the great lack of love I could show? I am keeping the best most important news they could ever hear from them because of my fear and lack of love.

I need a heart full of love for the lost around me, informed by Christ's love, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, never failing to show love by sharing what Christ has done for me and can do for them.

So, show some steadfast love today.