We can be both just and merciful when seeing through the lens of love.

(Listen to the song of the day “Mercy Reigns” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Matthew 12:7

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

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The Pharisees had just criticized Jesus for allowing his followers to pick the heads of grain and eat them on the Sabbath.

Their actions violated the religious rules that banned working on the Sabbath.

The religious leaders were adhering to the rules with no flexibility.

This is what happens when you have dualistic, “either-or” type thinking.

Their view was “black or white” with no gray area.

Jesus response to them (above) reflected non-dualistic, “both-and” type thinking.

You can both follow the rules and break them when mercy demanded it.

Jesus was quoting the prophet Hosea (6:6)…where the line is sometimes translated as God stating, “I desire love, not sacrifice.”

Love and mercy are the determining factors in how to respond…not simply following the letter of the law.

We see this playing out now in a brutal fashion at the southern border of the United States where many immigrants have entered the country illegally out of desperation to save their lives.

Many others are following the law by turning themselves in and legally seeking asylum.

We need more people who are trying to solve complex problems such as this in both a just…and compassionate manner.

Be that person.

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Listen to the song of the day “Mercy Reigns” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!