I desire mercy not sacrifice...

Some people see Jesus hanging out with the wrong crowd (sinners and tax collectors) and the Pharisees say, "Why is he hanging out with THOSE people (Matthew 9:9-13)?" Jesus response? Go read your Bible. In Hosea, the prophet says from God, "I desire mercy not sacrifice."


That may not seem like a big deal, however, when sacrifice is how your sins are forgiven, God is telling the people that the Creator cares more about compassion and forgiveness than doing that which allowed God to forgive their sins.

Jesus is reminding the Pharisees that it is more important that we love people than anything else, and all are worthy of our time, our love, our hope for redemption. Whoever you think that God has moved to the margins and excluded from God's grace, they are not. There is a place for that person, just like there is a place for you in God's kingdom. God does want us to change, to sin no more, but don't ever imagine there is a person who is past saving. No longer worthy of our action.

Too often we look at people who are struggling with poverty, with addiction, or with past mistakes and we say that person is not worthy. The funny thing is when we are the ones who have struggled we want mercy. When it is someone else, we want judgment on them. God says, "I desire mercy not sacrifice." Are you seeping yourself in the form of religion (sacrifice) without the heart of what it means to follow Jesus (mercy)?

Yesterday I went to a ministry called Reveal Ministries, an incredible group of people who are living out mercy. Are you looking to serve, to make a difference? This is one opportunity to grow in mercy!

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