“Let Mercy Stand Above Sacrifice!”

“Let Mercy Stand Above Sacrifice!”
Jesus saw Matthew at his tax collector’s booth and told him, “‘Follow me,’ and Matthew got up and followed him.”
Lesson: It is important to be at your place of work on time, for it is there that God’s favour comes knocking.
As soon as Matthew followed Jesus, we are told that he was “having dinner at Matthew’s house, and many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.” Matthew followed Jesus but Jesus also followed Matthew. Jesus the master stoops for the sinner!
Pharisees who were always right wondered why he ate with tax collectors and sinners! What were the Pharisees doing there if not to also eat with the others? Were they there like the kind of “monitoring spirits” that parade social media to see who has written what?
Their question however gave Jesus the opportunity to tell them his true mission. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”(Mt. 9:9-13).
Jesus came to save sinners like you and I. He dares come into our lives at the displeasure of the self-righteous! Jesus emphasises that mercy stands above sacrifice. He does not consider our sinfulness when he calls us. Rather he calls the sinners to repentance! He provides for them the means of grace dining and wining with them right at their doorsteps!
When the self-righteous see you mingling with sinners and wonder why, tell them that Jesus says we should learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice!”(Ho.6:6).
It is the mercy of God that has permitted us to be where we are! That same act of mercy teaches you and I to be merciful to others!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!