"Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matt. 9:13)
In Matthew 9, Jesus is called out by the Pharisees for eating with tax collectors and sinners. These devout followers of Torah were not pleased with Jesus' association with people of questionable character. They demand an answer, and Jesus gives them one.
"Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.'"
Jesus tells us what our posture toward the lost should be. It should be one of mercy. Other responses will not work. We are not going to win souls by being angry or outraged. We will not reach the world if we avoid them at all costs. We are to choose the way of Jesus rather than the way of the Pharisees.
Christianity is in decline in America. This should cause us to look at what we have done and what we are doing. What kind of response does the world receive from Christians? What do the lost hear from their Christian neighbors and coworkers? Is it anger and outrage, or is it mercy? Are we choosing the way of Jesus or the way of the Pharisees?
Not everyone will respond to the way of mercy, but some will. Mercy is what Jesus desires. The world expects anger and outrage. They are looking for a fight. They are not surprised by antagonism. They are ready for it because this is the way of the world. What they do not expect is mercy. What is healing and refreshing is mercy. It is what disarms people and causes them to reconsider how they are living. Mercy is something we all need.
Let us hear the words of Jesus.
"Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.'"
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