We've Got To Get Serious

But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. [Matthew 12.7]

As in Matthew 9, Jesus here again quotes Hosea 6.6:

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. [Hosea 6.6]

Should we think, if Jesus quoted this verse more than once, that it might be important? I think so!

The meaning of Matthew 12.7 is even more important when considering what Jesus said elsewhere around this same time:

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him. [John 5.19-23]

Jesus said above that He had absolute authority to judge. He also said He only did what He saw the Father doing. This whole conversation recorded in John is amazing.

Judgment is God's and He gave that authority to Jesus. And yet, Jesus, with all authority to judge, healed the sick and raised the dead. Why? Because with all authority of heaven to judge men guilty and therefore deserving of their infirmities, Jesus instead forgave them and the results were miraculous!

Jesus told His followers to walk in this same miracle-working faith. Jesus imparted His absolute authority to do so. This is confirmed in something Jesus said elsewhere:

If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.23]

This is totally consistent with:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

To ignore these teachings of Jesus is devastating. It is where the Church is, by and large, today. Instead of performing the good works of Jesus - demonstrating God's mercy - the Church talks a big "talk" void of the "walk" and the world laughs in derision.

We've got to get serious.

Father, forgive me for not working Your works, but the works of the enemy in judging others rather than forgiving them. Forgive me for being an agent of judgment, propagating all the curses of sin, instead of bringing mercy and forgiveness and healing.