"I Desire Mercy"

"But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice', you would not have condemned the guiltless."

--Matthew 12:7  (NKJV)

From the daily Bible reading on January 16, 2013 of Psalm 15; Matthew 12:1-21; Genesis 30-31:21.

Jesus knew scripture and quoted from it often, sometimes explaining what it meant, other times giving examples.  Here He quoted from Hosea 6:6 to say that if you are merciful, you will not blame, harm, or condemn those who are without guilt just for the sake of expediency or convenience, just to serve your own agenda.  It is interesting that Jesus used the past tense in His accusation, stressing how the Pharisees had indeed condemned the guiltless, in their courts and in their hearts, in the past and even recently, such as accusing Him and His disciples of breaking the Sabbath by plucking some grain to eat as they walked.  But He also knew they would soon condemn Him and nail Him to a cross, the ultimate guiltless One.  Jesus knew what was to come, and tried to tell them all.  But none could understand.  Do we?  Amen.

Lord Jesus, You were the only One ever without sin, the true guiltless One.  You warn us that God desires us to show mercy to one another more than He wants to see sacrifice from us.  You instruct us to love one another as we love ourselves, and mercy is a direct result of love.  If we truly love one another, we will be merciful to one another.  Please help us honor You by showing mercy, especially to those who are without guilt.  In Your dear name, our Jesus we pray.  Amen.