What God Desires
I desire mercy and not sacrifice.
-Jesus, Mathew 12:7 (Also, 9:13; citing Hosea 6:6; cf. Micah 6:6-8)
What does a sacrifice in Scripture indicate?
First, a sacrifice (most often) indicates that there has been a sinful failure. You broke God’s law. You sinned. You caused harm and pain and distress, for yourself and for others. You disregarded God’s command; you did what was right in your eyes. This is fundamentally what a sacrifice indicates.
Second, a sacrifice might also indicate that a person has a “transactional” view of their relationship with God. For example, "I sin, I offer a sacrifice… I sin, I offer a sacrifice… I sin…" You get the idea. I can do my sins, so long as I have the ability to “pay for” my sins on the altar. This is predominately how the Israelites of the prophetic era in Scripture, and in Jesus’ day, treated the sacrificial system. It’s sort of like the relationship of Fat Tuesday to Lent—get your kicks while you can, and then pay for it. Do what you want, just so you give the god some meat or whatever.
But now, what does mercy indicate? Why does God desire mercy?
When sinners show mercy on sinners, it is an indication that the character of God—His holiness and righteousness and “Steadfast Love”—has infiltrated that sinner’s life. It indicates transformation.
Sinners are only merciful as a consequence of having received mercy. (“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19) Sinners are only merciful when they know that they have received mercy. Then they want to be merciful to others.
We all love getting mercy. But the only people who love giving mercy are those who desire to be like the One who gave them mercy.
What God does and doesn't want.
Scripture says, and Jesus repeatedly points out, that God is not interested in burnt-meat. But God is after people who know His glory, worship Him, and are transformed into the likeness of His Son. God is after disciples of Jesus, people who will embody, and become, His mercy to others.
God does not desire sinners’ sins. God does not want a sin-born transaction with sinners.
God desires to see His people receive His mercy, love His mercy. He wants us to do mercy. Because the only real proof that we’ve understood and received His mercy to us, is when we do mercy to others.
Has God been merciful to you? How? (Let's start there. Let the mercy of God wash you clean.)
See also:
I appeal to you therefore by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God… Love one another with familial affection; outdo one another in showing honor. (Rom 12:1, 10)
Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash
