Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
Jesus did not say this to us. Rather he said this in response to the Pharisees who were complaining about him eating with the wrong type of people, in their eyes – who were the tax collectors and sinners. And so, Jesus answered the Pharisees complaint by saying: “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’”
Now, we are not Pharisees, of course. But it would be a good idea to understand what Jesus meant. As this was not just good advice for the Pharisees, but for all of us. Which is to learn what it means for us, that God desires mercy, not sacrifice.
How do you show mercy?
Jesus explains that mercy consists of compassion, love, and forgiveness as such these are far more important to God than following strict, empty obedience to religious rituals or rules. This highlights a few profound truths about the teachings of Jesus:
He was more concerned with people over rules: Jesus famously ate with outcasts and healed the sick on the Sabbath. When criticized, He reminded the religious leaders that meeting human needs and showing grace take priority over legalistic traditions.
He was concerned about the heart: God looks at the attitude of your heart. Acts of worship or sacrifice are meaningless if they are not motivated by genuine love and care for others.
He was concerned about providing grace for the broken: Jesus stated, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners," emphasizing that He offers a physician's care to those who are spiritually sick rather than demanding a flawless performance
Mercy
An exemplar of the idea of mercy can be found in the parable of the unforgiving servant, as an example.
The "Parable of the Debtor" typically refers to the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (found in Matthew 18:21-35), which Jesus told to answer Peter's question about how many times one should forgive someone.
The Story
The Massive Debt: A king settles his accounts with his servants and calls upon one who owes him an unpayable fortune (ten thousand talents). Unable to pay, the servant is threatened with being sold into slavery along with his family.
The Forgiveness: The servant begs for patience, and the king is moved with compassion, miraculously forgiving the entire massive debt.
The Hypocrisy: Immediately after, this same servant finds a fellow servant who owes him a tiny fraction of what he just had been forgiven (a hundred denarii). He chokes the man, demanding instant payment, and throws him in debtor's prison when he cannot pay.
The Judgment: Hearing of this, the enraged king revokes his forgiveness and imprisons the first servant until he can pay back the original, impossible debt.
The Meaning
God's Grace vs. Human Grudges: The enormous debt represents the impossible- -repay burden of human sins against God. The small debt represents the offenses or wrongs other people commit against us.
The Core Lesson: Because God has generously forgiven our monumental debt, we are expected to extend that same mercy, grace and forgiveness to others. Withholding mercy and forgiveness from others undermines the very mercy we have received.
There is also the much shorter Parable of the Two Debtors in Luke 7:36-50, which contrasts a Pharisee and a woman who washed Jesus's feet, teaching that those who are forgiven much naturally love much.
God wants us to sacrifice our time, our talents, and our treasure, but not at the sacrifice of our mercy. None of these can substitute for our steadfast love toward God, and our kindness, mercy, and steadfast love toward our neighbour.
We see Jesus doing this, when he shows mercy to the leader of the synagogue by bringing his daughter back to life, and when he shows that very same mercy to the woman who had been suffering haemorrhages for twelve long years. Jesus showed mercy and loving kindness to whoever needed it – Jewish leaders and lepers, Pharisees and fishermen, the wealthy and the poor, the tax collectors and the so-called sinners. Jesus showed that same mercy to those who believed, and those who didn’t believe.
In conclusion
“Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’” Jesus said.
Ironically it turns out that we don’t have to go anywhere to learn what this means. It is best learned from Jesus himself. He showed us what mercy is his life on earth.
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice” is a profound biblical principle emphasizing that God values mercy, compassion, love, and forgiveness far more than the strict, ritualistic observance of religious rules.
God prefers our active kindness toward others in showing (mercy) rather than just going through the motions of religious traditions (sacrifice). It calls for an inner transformation. When your heart is filled with God's love, your interactions with people will be naturally shaped by mercy, grace, forgiveness, and care.
Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” And then, once we have learned it, and received it, go and share it. To the glory of God. Amen.