I Desire Mercy and Not Sacrifice

Jesus went through fields of grain on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees condemned them for this action (Mt. 12:1-2). The disciples' action was not unlawful (Deut. 23:25). They had not broken any of God’s commands, only the traditions of the scribes and religious leaders. In response, the Lord presented several arguments revealing the dishonesty and bad heart of the Pharisees.

Jesus points out how the Pharisees condemn Him and His followers, but meanwhile they would never condemn David for his actions; they are inconsistent (Mt. 12:3-4; 1 Sam. 21:1-6). Also, the priests did much work on the Sabbath and were not condemned for it (Mt. 12:5; Ex. 29:38; Num. 28:9). And now those working with Christ to bring about His kingdom were involved in a much greater work than temple service under the Law of Moses (Mt. 12:6; Heb. 3:3). Then we have an Old Testament quotation, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Mt. 12:7; Hos. 6:6).

The form of religion is nothing if the heart is not right. To put it another way, good externals cannot make up for bad internals (Mt. 23:25-28). Both are needed. God wanted sacrifice but, more than that, He wanted the heart. We know there was a problem with the heart of the Pharisees and other Jewish religious leaders; they were unjust, merciless, and unfaithful (Mt. 23:23). They should have been showing love, even as God shows love. Instead, they show no mercy and are in danger of judgment without mercy (Jam. 2:13). The Pharisees were the ones truly breaking God's Law, not Jesus' disciples!

This is something Jesus had taught on earlier, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mt. 9:13). The word for mercy describes kindness, goodwill, and specifically actions of compassion. Jesus is saying what God wanted all along is for them to reach out and help people. The New Testament reveals Jesus to be the polar opposite of the Pharisees. He truly was compassionate, and He did help people (Mk. 1:40-42; 6:34; 7:37; 9:22-23).

Jesus told them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Mt. 9:12). A doctor cannot help one who will not come to him for treatment. The self-righteous religious leaders were not even aware they were lost. Repentant sinners know they need help, the Pharisees would deny that they need anything. Notice how a prideful and merciless attitude closes one off from God. May we humbly learn from the Pharisees’ mistake and never forget to show mercy and compassion to others.