Desire Mercy
I desire mercy.
Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
All the glory, praises and honor be to the Holy Father in Lord Jesus’ precious and matchless name!
The subject verse is the Lord’s reply to the Pharisees’ objection to His eating with tax collectors and sinners. Interestingly, Jesus asked them to go and learn what has been said in Hosea 6:6. It is clear that the Almighty God wants people to show mercy on others. Rather than the ritualistic offerings or sacrifices for the sins, it is love that desires. Indeed, He wants His people to know Him more rather than their burnt offerings.
‘For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.’
Hosea 6:6 NKJV
From the above verse, Jesus makes known what He desires. By His actions, Jesus showed love to the people who are classified as sinners. He loved the sinners and not their sin. The scriptures say that Jesus is given all the authority to forgive sin. And Jesus showed mercy to them rather than exercising His authority to punish them. He had compassion and forgave them.
‘But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” —he then said to the paralytic— “Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” ‘
Matthew 9:6 ESV
Most importantly, Jesus is to the sinners just like a doctor is to the sick. In His words, Jesus made it clear that He came to call the sinners and not the righteous. As it is the sick who requires a doctor and not the healthy ones; in the same way the sinners need the Lord to get cleansed of their sins. Therefore, submit to the Lord and be saved in His matchless and mighty name. Amen.
PS: To everyone who believed in Jesus Christ, the Almighty God gave them the free gift of salvation. The Omnipotent God made a provision to the mankind to wash their sins by the blood of His Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. From all the above, it is evident that Jesus alone is the way for the salvation of the mankind.