At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew:12:1-8)
The passage talks about how quickly we judge people and on what basis do we judge them. When the Pharisees judged the disciples attempt to get rid of their hunger by eating grain from the fields on Sabbath, Jesus corrected them saying the Pharisees wouldn't have condemned the disciples if they had known the meaning of the words "I desire mercy, not sacrifice". He even goes on to call the disciples as innocent. That's how GOD judges based on mercy, like what Jesus did with the woman who was caught in adultery.
Let's ponder on the words that really matter according to Jesus "I desire mercy, not sacrifice". Jesus is expecting us to trust His judgement and show mercy to the people who fail to live by the Word. Infact, the sacrifices in Old Testament were meant to bring mercy and forgiveness upon the people. GOD was more concerned about showering them with His mercies than receiving their sacrifices. When we see someone committing a sin, GOD doesn't want us to judge him/her quickly instead pray for His mercy. That GOD would have mercy on that person and he/she should turn back from their evil ways. Jesus showed us how it should be done when He hung on the cross crying "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing". Jesus didn't judge anyone from Judas to Pilate to the Jews who were involved in His arrest and crucifixion, instead let GOD be the judge and He cried out for His mercy to fall on them.
The church and its rituals (sacrifices in OT) doesn't mean a thing if it isn't going to help people who are in need. We, the church should stop at judging the world around us and start being merciful to them and pray for GOD's mercy over the lives of those around us. The world will become a better place and it all starts with us. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew:5:7)
Blessings!
The passage talks about how quickly we judge people and on what basis do we judge them. When the Pharisees judged the disciples attempt to get rid of their hunger by eating grain from the fields on Sabbath, Jesus corrected them saying the Pharisees wouldn't have condemned the disciples if they had known the meaning of the words "I desire mercy, not sacrifice". He even goes on to call the disciples as innocent. That's how GOD judges based on mercy, like what Jesus did with the woman who was caught in adultery.
Let's ponder on the words that really matter according to Jesus "I desire mercy, not sacrifice". Jesus is expecting us to trust His judgement and show mercy to the people who fail to live by the Word. Infact, the sacrifices in Old Testament were meant to bring mercy and forgiveness upon the people. GOD was more concerned about showering them with His mercies than receiving their sacrifices. When we see someone committing a sin, GOD doesn't want us to judge him/her quickly instead pray for His mercy. That GOD would have mercy on that person and he/she should turn back from their evil ways. Jesus showed us how it should be done when He hung on the cross crying "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing". Jesus didn't judge anyone from Judas to Pilate to the Jews who were involved in His arrest and crucifixion, instead let GOD be the judge and He cried out for His mercy to fall on them.
The church and its rituals (sacrifices in OT) doesn't mean a thing if it isn't going to help people who are in need. We, the church should stop at judging the world around us and start being merciful to them and pray for GOD's mercy over the lives of those around us. The world will become a better place and it all starts with us. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew:5:7)
Blessings!
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