Matthew 12:7
“If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these innocent men.”

A legalistic mind has a hard time with ‘mercy.’ The religious leaders (Pharisees) had just criticized Jesus’ disciples for picking the heads of grain in a field and eating them during the Sabbath which was against the religious law. But Jesus quoted the prophet Hosea in telling them that “mercy” was more important than “sacrifice” or any religious rule. After all…his disciples were hungry! The rules are a great foundation…but in the real world it’s not so black and white. Love always trumps the law. In God’s kingdom…the rain falls on the just and the unjust. God can somehow hold the good and the bad together without throwing anyone out. This is what God calls us to do as well. When have you experienced God’s love despite your sinfulness? Perhaps others need to experience the same love and forgiveness of God…through you.

Suggested song of the day—“Come to Jesus” on the Live to Love album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
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Have a blessed day!