Connected in The Word 6-2-26
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:11-13
Jesus says to go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” He is quoting Hosea 6:6 where the word for mercy is that beautiful Hebrew word Chesed which could also be translated at steadfast love and faithfulness. It’s a difficult word to translate because we don’t have an English word that is a true equivalent. Chesed in the Old Testament is often used to describe God’s great mercy, love, faithfulness, and loyalty to His promises and His people. God’s Chesed is revealed in and through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
I think Jesus wants the Pharisees and us today to understand that salvation is rooted in God’s Chesed revealed in Christ’s sacrifice. The redemption of all creation is dependent on this reality! God’s Chesed flows down to us and then out to others. It is extremely easy for people to forget this great Gospel Truth. We tend to get things backwards. We want to turn things around and make God’s Chesed dependent on our sacrifice.
This is problematic for two reasons. First, if God’s Chesed is dependent on our sacrifice (going to church, saying our prayers, reading our Bible) then we have destroyed the Gospel. Second, if we think that our sacrifice (going to church, saying our prayers, reading our Bible) can make us right with God and win salvation, our sinful nature convinces us that we don’t need to love others, care for creation, or even love and fear God – Because after all, I go to church, say my prayers, and read my Bible. YOUR SACRIFICE FOR GOD ISN’T WHAT SAVES YOU. GOD’S SACRIFICE FOR YOU IS WHAT SAVES YOU!
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