1 Sam. 25-26; Ps. 63; Mt. 9

10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. “ Matt. 9:10-12

Jesus didn’t often say “Go learn what this means” like he did in this occasion. He is quoting from the law of the OT and bringing to light the true heart and character of God. Often people think that there is a difference between the God of the Old Testament and that of the new, but that is not true. Jesus is showing us here God’s priorities. He not enamored with sacrifices, he has always been a God of mercy. Those sacrifices were necessary to point to Christ and to be a covering over sin until the true sacrifice could justify the sinner. The Pharisaical legalism had kept people from knowing the true nature of God, and Jesus is setting the record straight. Tax collectors and sinners are welcome with open arms, because they are more likely to recognize they are sick. The religious on the other hand rarely recognize that they need a doctor. Their pride has blinded them. Jesus infiltrated the world of sinners so he could heal their souls, We must infiltrate their world as well because we are the only ones with the words to eternal life.

Pastor Rick