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Matthew 12

Kevin Colvin
07/30/23 - Podcast

And now, a minute with the Word…

I desire mercy/compassion, and not sacrifice. Jesus said this back in chapter 9 where the Pharisees scoffed at Jesus eating with sinners. Similar words are spoken in Hosea 6:6, in a setting where the Israelites were greedily oppressing the poor and worshipping idols, yet offering sacrifices as if they were pious. God wants to show mercy and compassion and He values mercy and compassion. He desires sinners and tax collectors to come to His son for healing. He desires true disciples, those who would follow Jesus despite a lack of food or other comforts. He wants us to love Him and love our neighbor, not to offer meaningless empty sacrifices. Consider the greatness of Jesus. He is greater than the temple and greater than the Sabbath. He is greater than Jonah and greater than Solomon. Maybe we don’t appreciate these comparisons like a Jew would. They took such pride in the temple, selective rule keeping, and their notable ancestors, and yet they despised Jesus, God’s son, God literally living among man. Do I appreciate who Jesus is and how great He is and how amazing it is that He would consider me part of His family if I do the Father’s will?