Several times in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke you find Jesus saying, “I desire mercy not sacrifice.”
“He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8
“Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.”
Micah 7:18
I have been thinking on the phrase “love mercy” and what that might look like in my own life. I have been asking God to show me the places and people in my life where I don’t delight to show mercy.
So, as I read through these New Testament books and saw the very life of Jesus described in words, I saw a lot of compassion and mercy. He would speak to a multitude and have compassion on them. He would be walking down the street, see a group of people or someone in need of healing and have compassion on them.
And, when Jesus said, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice…” do you know who He was usually talking to?? (Matthew 9:12, 12:7)
The Pharisees.
You and me. He was talking to those of us who stay so busy in the church that we miss out on Jesus. He was talking to those of us who like to “sacrifice” our time and gifts. He was talking to those of us so busy serving that we are missing out on what is best. He was talking about those of us so busy doing things for Jesus that we neglect being with Jesus.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of Mary and Martha with this phrase about mercy. Mary knew the better choice…she knew that being at the feet of Jesus was the very best place she could ever be.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I know we are called to be servants…and being a servant requires acts of service. But, I have been Martha for way too long, friends. And sometimes in my own life I have realized that too much service leads to very little of Jesus.
And I don’t know about you, but I want more of Him!! Give me more of Jesus.
More, more, more…
I want to sit at His feet. I want more of Him.
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