Matthew 12:1-7 - Mercy, not Sacrifice

S - Matthew 12:1-7

O- Jesus did not follow man's rules (what was unlawful on the Sabbath - to pick grain) according to what was "righteous" in man's eyes. He gave his disciples food because they were hungry. He said to the Pharisees, "I tell you that one 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."

Hosea 6:6 is quoted by Jesus here. The full text in Hosea says, "Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord; Let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appeaar; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. 'What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flashed like lightning upon you. For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Like Adam, they have broken the covenant - they were unfaithful to me there.'"

God wants our continual acknowledgement. He wants us to LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE. He does not want us to love him like a morning mist or early dew that disappears. Amazing word picture here, God! Wow.



A - If we become more concerned with the means of worship than with the One we worship, we will miss God even as we think we are worshipping Him. Keep my eyes steadfast on my Creator, and don't feel guilty about what I "should" be doing. Instead, worship the One who Is. The Great "I AM". Because He Is. I am not.

P - Lord, help me not to focus on what I should be doing to worship you, but to just sit in AWE of you. You are CREATOR and LORD. Let me just BE in worship mode, acknowledging you in all I say and do. Forgive me when my flesh is not in check with that. Forgive my selfish, sinful nature. Forgive my impulsiveness to express frustration not in line with your will for me. Forgive my tendency to satisfy self. Help me to keep in alliance with you this day. Give me strength Lord, and help me to be an example to my girls and to my husband, as well. Bless this day. I lift it up to you. Amen.