A Daily Devotion for October 29, Friday
- ontrakk
- Oct 29, 2021
- 1 min read
Matthew 9: 12-13
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Sacrifices can be empty. If there is no mercy behind our actions, or generosity, or love, the sacrifice is meaningless. I believe God is looking for the love we show others. Mercy is love.
Father God, help me to be merciful. If that involves sacrificing for others, help me to be ready and willing to do so. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 9:12-13 My Bible references the prophet Hosea and there offers several references about obedience versus sacrifice. My favorite on this list is from Psalm 40:6–8, “God doesn’t want sacrifices or offerings he wants us to take joy in doing his well.” This is an important distinction; don’t do good because it is right and makes you look good. Be sure you love what you’re doing and feel the joy of accomplishment in it. We all have different gifts and talents and should do God’s will based on that. Prayer: gracious God thank you for helping me see my meager gifts can bring joy to both myself and others. Amen
Matthew 9:12-13 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, we have many opportunities to be involved in acts of kindness and mercy. We provide food to families for holiday meals, toys for children who other wise would have nothing, prepare and serve a turkey dinner at a soup kitchen. Organize a coat and warm clothes drive for the homeless. Are these the acts of kindness that Jesus truly meant when he challenged us to learn the difference between merc…
Matthew 9:12-13
13 But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
At first I thought Jesus meant sacrifice as in a lamb, but His desire that people show mercy means to me that he doesn’t want us to be martyrs or to necessarily deprive ourselves, but to do for others less fortunate. Jesus didn’t have wealth to give, but He gave love and understanding and a path to a better life to all that He met. That sacrifice is just as real as giving wealth.
Dear Lord, any sacrificing that I do is spotty at best. I have tried to give from what I have and not thought much about giving of myself as a sacrifice.…
Matthew 9: 12-13
12 “On Hearing this, Jesus said, It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick”
This verse tells me that Jesus was focused on those people who were sinners and needed guidance in how to live their lives in a more productive and sinless way. Showing these people love and kindness was the way Jesus worked with them. Jesus did not condone what they were doing, but showed them that believing in Jesus was the only way to be redeemed. It would require sacrifice on their parts, but in the end it would be worthwhile for them to change.
Dearest Lord, thank you for sacrificing you Son for us. It is through his goo…
Matthew 9: 12-13
It seems to me Jesus is referencing sacrifice in a different way than which we have been discussing this week. It would be interesting to know if the same words were used in the original language. In this passage, Jesus seems to be referring to the elaborate system of sacrifices prescribed by Mosaic law. Jesus rejects such sacrifice for mercy. If I have interpreted our previous reading correctly, it is our very acts of mercy that are considered a worthy sacrifice. Jesus values these infinitely more than the blood of animals.
Prayer - Jesus, Your perfect life and atoning death was the last blood sacrifice there ever was. May we who follow You offer ourselves as…