Mercy Over Religion

[cmc]

August 6, 2008
Key Passage: Matthew 12:1-14
Topic: Relationships
"And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:7-8, ESV)
Religion can be an ugly thing. In fact, being religious can make us ugly people. And being religious can often lead us away from God rather than to Him.

This is exactly what Jesus encountered with the religious leaders of His day. They were a group who didn't like the way Jesus did things because He didn't follow their religious customs. These religious leaders were arrogant, selfish and insensitive to the needs of others.

In one particular incident where Jesus and His disciples had a run-in with them, the religious leaders accused the disciples of breaking the law and condemned them. Jesus responded by quoting a verse from the Old Testament, "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices." Jesus reminded them that mercy is more important than religion.

In other words, how you treat people is of greater concern than religious duties. You see, the religious leaders had a heart problem. They were quick to judge and condemn people and failed to show mercy, love and forgiveness. They placed a higher importance on following religious traditions than on being compassionate.

So how about you? Where's your heart? Are you more concerned about showing mercy or following the rules? Do you care about a person or just about their outward actions?






© 2008 NotReligion

[Lily]

I love mercy cuz I am the biggest sinner of all. I am glad I follow a God who has poured out sooo much grace & mercy on me. I am glad I am not under the law nor judged by the pharasees. I pray the Lord would continue to work on my heart and give me a more and more merciful heart towards others and never become judgemental and think I am better than......


He who has been forgiven much, loves much.

Sheila

[IO Storm]

Another thought on this...

The Pharisees had the opportunity to meet God on earth..face to face..

In fact they did! They watched Him heal a woman on the Sabbath.

And they could have asked Him any question... just imagine... all the

mysteries of heaven and earth you or I could think of to ask..

All their focus was on one thing. He was "going against their religion".

How sad. How...dumb.

Luke 13:10-17 New International Version (NIV)

A Crippled Woman Healed on the Sabbath

10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." 13Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

14Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."

15The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"

17When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.


Thanks cmc

[IO Storm]

This one of the songs about Mercy that ministers to my heart of hearts!

Thank you God for sending your beloved Son in my place.


Mercy Came Running

Once there was a holy place
Evidence of God's embrace
And I can almost see mercy's face
Pressed against the veil

Looking down with longing eyes
Mercy must have realized
That once His blood was sacrificed
Freedom would prevail

And as the sky grew dark
And the earth began to shake
With justice no longer in the way

Chorus:
Mercy came running
Like a prisoner set free
Past all my failures to the point of my need
When the sin that I carried
Was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy
Mercy came running to me

Once there was a broken heart
Way too human from the start
And all the years left it torn apart
Hopeless and afraid

Walls I never meant to build
Left this prisoner unfulfilled
Freedom called but even still
It seemed so far away

I was bound by the chains
From the wages of my sin
Just when I felt like giving in


Sometimes I still feel so far
So far from where I really should be
He gently calls to my heart
Just to remind me

Chorus

Mercy came running like a prisoner set free
Like a prisoner set free
Past all my failures to the point of my need
When the sin that I carried
Was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy
Mercy came running to me

Phillips, Craig & Dean (Trust)
Words & Music by Dan Dean, Dave Clark & Don Koch