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Matthew 9:13
In the passage of Matthew 9:10-13 in which we studied in our previous lesson, is another very important lesson that is found in Matthew 9:13. In Matthew 9:13 is the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament; the difference between sacrifice and mercy. Jesus, in His reply to the Pharisees in Matthew 9:10-13, tells of His purpose to be in healing the sick (Matthew 9:12) and that He came to call sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13). But He throws into the center of His reply, a quote from Hosea 6:6, which in its entirety states, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings” (NIV).
In the Old Testament, when a sin was committed, a sacrifice was required to be offered to God in seeking atonement/reconciliation. We learn about the burnt offering in Leviticus 6:8-9, 13 (ESV), “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it…Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.”
The Pharisees prided themselves on offering many sacrifices to God, and in keeping the fire burning in the altar for the burnt offering. They did their job well, physically, but their hearts were far from the sincerity in true repentance to God that is desired by God in drawing close to Him. This is why Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice” in Matthew 9:13. Jesus preached mercy as to display mercy in one’s life to another; it takes a sincere forgiving heart to show mercy to another – it must be genuine. The Apostle Paul states in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NKJV), “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.”
This is a promise and example that God desires to have our hearts to be sincere to Him before our actions for Him can be found worthy to bring glory to Him in our lives.
The Old Testament is about striving to earn God’s favor on one’s life. But it is also about learning that no one is able to obtain adherence to all the requirements of the Law. The Law was to show us that we are incapable of earning God’s favor so that we would seek the mercy that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 9:13 as He quotes the Prophet Hosea. When the time was right, God showed His mercy for humanity by sending His One and only Son to take our place in paying for our sins so that He may not just atone/cover our sins but wipe them out forever through His mercy for all who will put their faith in Him and believe that Jesus died for your sins and will forgive you too!
Dear LORD,
Our hearts are not inclined to be merciful without first finding mercy through our salvation in Christ Jesus as we come to You with a sincere heart in repentance seeking Your forgiveness. Please help us to see that it is not our actions in physically striving to earn Your mercy and forgiveness, but that You seek us to be sincerely merciful to others as You are merciful to us in allowing Jesus to pay the penalty that we rightfully deserve. Thank You Jesus for paying the price for our sins. In Jesus name I pray, amen.