But if you had known what this means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, you would not have condemn the guiltless. Matthew 12:7
Hosea 6: 8 – For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice and the knowledge of God more than Burnt offerings.
Micah 6:6-8 – With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, and ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 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?
Matthew 9:13 – But go you and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
God desires us to have morals over the ceremonial rites. He wants us to surrender our hearts to him. God doesn’t desire sacrifice but mercy. God wants us to love him first and then love our fellow-man. He wants us to be kind to each other and to love one another. God desires that more than our external duties in our religion. God will have mercy on the sinners who repent, then those who are (self) righteous.
The pharisees were more critical of them (the disciples). Plucking grain on the sabbath, then taking another mans grain. The are more concerned about law, then worship of God.
Today we are so quick to be like a pharisee. Whether we realize that or not, we are. Pharisees have a self-righteous critical spirit about themselves. They put law above love, grace, and mercy. They put everything opposite of who God is. Look close at the New Testament and the Old Testament. All God want is a relationship, not rituals.
God requires s to act justly. This means be fair and honest in or dealing with others. We must love mercy. We have to be compassionate and kind to others. We have to walk humbly with God. We need to be in total reliance with Him.
Are you willing to be humble before God?
Are you willing to show others mercy?
Are you willing to have a relationship with God and not a religion?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you your mercy. That you don’t want sacrifice but to give us mercy. Thank you for wanting a relationship with us over rituals. God I ask that you help us to be humble, to show others mercy, and to have a relationship with you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
