This morning I was reading chapter nine of the book of Matthew. This morning the sub chapter was Jesus dining with Matthew, his tax collector friends, sinners and low life’s. The actions, morals, values, and lifestyles of this dinner party did not lean toward the most godlike behavior. The Pharisees were appalled that Jesus would speak to the lessors, let alone eat with them.
What caught my attention this morning was a side note revealing Jesus speaking from the Old Testament in the New. I love when the old and new collide loudly.
Matthew 9:12-13 NIV “On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Let’s jump back now to two books and verses from the Old Testament.
Hosea 6:6 NIV “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather then burnt offerings.”
Micah 6:6-8 NIV “With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my first born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 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.”
Before Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, he, himself becoming our sin offering. The Hebrew law required the sacrifices of birds, calves, rams, etc. Some sin offerings or financial means allowed the smaller such as doves or pure olive oil. Upon reading the verses in Micah, we see the author distraught in what he could offer to cover his sinful nature and the remorse he feels.
God tells us what he wants, Us. It’s that simple he doesn’t want our sacrifices or burnt offerings (for this I am most thankful for ). He wants our love, our time, our friendship…He wants a relationship with you, and the rest will follow gracefully.
Satan would like us to believe that walking with Jesus is hard, tedious, and self-sacrificing. It is the giving of self, but that’s the easy part, and He helps heal and correct all the hard stuff. Trust me on this one!
Walking with our Lord is as easy as that, just walking and talking. Asking a question or two, a direction here and there. When you place your hand in Jesus’, he holds it firmly but gently. He’s everything you will ever need of this you can be sure!
Be blessed today. Be a blessing today, and thank you for joining me. 🥰
Sunshine On My Shoulder 