Mercy Not Sacrifice

“I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant ‘ I desire mercy not sacrifice’ you would not have condemned these innocent men” Matthew 12: 6-7

Jesus is defending the actions of his hungry disciples in this passage after they have violated a rule of Sabbath by picking grain. But all of these learned men, all of this brilliant pillars of society, cannot see what stands before them because they are too busy trying to challenge his credibility. When Jesus says, “something greater than the temple is here,” it is almost too much. But notice, he doesn’t back down and turn on his disciples and chastise them for breaking the sabbath just to boost his standing among his “colleagues”, instead he takes their part and says, “they are hungry” and in quoting Hosea he challenges their understanding of the text. If you look at the bigger picture it is almost confrontational but Jesus simply states the facts. But facts are not always welcome.I wonder, how often do I do this? How often do I simply dismiss what someone is saying because I have predetermined that they have no credibility? I refer to this quote internally often during Lent because it makes me think. It makes me ask myself, what is the point of my sacrifice? We live in a snarky society and I own my part in it. It is not my best side but being forever opinionated, I also can be merciless. So, I have to say, is it actually easier to give up the sweet, or the occasional Starbucks coffee or whatever I am entertaining that I think will be the bigger deprivation? Or is it, in fact, to try to change my heart from either being judgemental, unforgiving and not accepting? Which of those things really impede my ability to take part in bringing about the kingdom of God?In some ways it can be both. I can put aside the money that I was going to use for the poor and thereby remember my suffering brothers and sisters. Or I can put aside the commentary that doesn’t add to the discussion and can sometimes instead be divisive. This too, done in the name of love, can facilitate the kingdom of God.As we go through lent I think I will revisit this passage as it helps me ready my heart for the resurrection.”I desire mercy, not sacrifice”