BLOG 10 - MERCY NOT SACRIFICE

Dear accepted in the beloved,

"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice...' "
Matthew 9:13

Performing the sacrifices was the main part of the ministry of the priests in the Old Testament. God frowned on outward obedience while their hearts were far away from him. How did he determine that their hearts were far away from Him? Because they lacked mercy, compassion and love for the people.

As a royal priesthood we are called upon to be living sacrifices, to lay ourselves on the altar of the Lord. Usually we call this ministry. Is ministry what God wants from me? Is there something that could make all my service to the Lord null and void? The Lord is telling me, yes. If I put ministry ahead of mercy I will be just like the hypocritical pharisees. The pharisees knew the law. From all outside appearances they kept the law better than all others. They made sure of it. But they missed the most important thing. God says in the verse above: "Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy not sacrifice.' "

Mercy flows only from a heart of love, love for God and for those God loves. If we serve God in a perfunctory way without love, God says in 1 Cor 13 we are nothing.

The pharisees were always being portrayed as beating the servants of the Lord.
Are we beating the servants of the Lord by cold or critical words or actions towards those God loves, casting people away, rejecting them, ignoring them, ignoring needs while thinking we are doing the work of the Lord.

Are we like the unmerciful servant who expected mercy for his own shortcomings but did not extend it to his fellow servant? Are we expecting ministry rather than extending it? Are we like the ministry people who saw the wounded man in the road, but were too busy to help him. They put ministry (sacrifice) before mercy.

O Lord help us to look in the mirror of your word and to see ourselves- who we really are. Help us to weep and wail over our deep iniquity.

We are the pharisee keeping the law without love.
We are the unmerciful servant beating our fellow servants.
We are the ministry minded doing great things in your name while walking by the wounded.

Meditate on Luke 10. Imagine that you asked Jesus: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Imagine Jesus answering you with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Who would you be in the story? You are not who you think you are. I am not who I think I am. What do others see? What do the wounded see? Are they crying to the Lord because of me?

What sacrifices am I bringing? I tithe, I work in nursing homes..., Sunday school..., I go to church, bible study..., I bring a sacrifice of praise to the Lord, I preach, I teach..., Lord I did all this in your name. I am serving the Lord.........

How am I showing mercy?
Have I seen the wounded man?
Have I shown him mercy or am I just passing him by?

You may say: "Well, the Lord has not told me to do this specific thing."
The Lord has already spoken. Am I listening to what He has already said?

Agape.