by Robert Fudge

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

I want us to consider the phrase: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Jesus said we need to learn what this means. In the beatitudes, Jesus said: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matt. 5:7 To understand why this is important, we once again must look at the nature of God. Ephesians 2:4: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy... God is a God of mercy toward us because He loves us. We are to show mercy toward others because we are to love them. When you see someone who is doing wrong (toward you, toward others, or just plain wrong) what do you think and feel? When you see a homeless or street person, how do you feel, what do you think? When you see people you perceive as “sinners” what do you think? Do you feel judgmental toward them? Do you feel more righteous than them? The Pharisees in the day of Jesus did all of the above. They just could not believe that Jesus would actually eat with these terrible people. They were too good for that.

If we are going to be like God, we should feel mercy toward them. Mercy requires humility on our part. Mercy requires a forgiving spirit on our part. If we truly love others (as God loves us) we will want to show mercy toward them.

When God saw us in our sin, He loved us so He showed His mercy by sending Jesus to die for us. It is easy to be religious. It is easy to find comfort in believing things “right.” After all, “we” have it all figured out. Yet how many seemingly good people, church-going people, even preachers and teachers have never learned to show mercy toward others. Too often when someone else is in trouble, we respond by saying they made their bed, let them lie in it or if that were me, I would _________. Do we really know what we would do if we were in that person’s situation?

Jesus said if we don’t forgive others, we can’t have forgiveness. Jesus said if we show mercy, God will show mercy to us. Let’s each of us show some special mercy toward someone today. It just might encourage them to come to the Lord or to serve Him better.

God, please have mercy on me, the sinner. I don’t deserve your love or your mercy. In fact, Lord, I know it is by your grace – undeserved favor - that I can call you Father and come to you in prayer. Please forgive my pride and my self-righteousness and help me to show mercy to those I come in contact with today. Thank you for your mercy. In the name of Jesus we offer this prayer to you.

I pray that you will have a good day as you serve Him.