Jesus Desires Mercy

This morning I realized that I am continuing to expand the desire of the LORD for my heart. I am reading in Matthew of Jesus’ calling of Matthew and His subsequent meeting with Him and other tax collectors. Here Jesus’ actions are questioned and His response is magnificent.

“¹¹And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ ¹²But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go 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 (ESV)

Jesus declares to the Pharisees and the crowd that had gathered, that He is here for sinners, and in order to gain them, it is mercy we give to them as opposed to sacrifice. We do not change who we are to “get in good” with the group we are working to gain, we simply understand them and let them know that we love them and allow them the opportunity to hear.

What Jesus desires from us is our full obedience. Our heart for Him and our mercy for those in need of Him. It is easy to walk away from those not like us as we are looking out for our reputation. It is easy to seek out work that is easy like only interacting with those who are like us. But as I have read on a number of occasions and again this morning from Jesus, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Our actions should be to spread the gospel and not just talk about it with others, and that will mean working with those who are out of touch with the LORD and need to hear from and about Him.

I want to be the example of Christ for others to witness. This means that I have to work with those in need, those are those in need of mercy. I have to demonstrate love for all and not just those who are like me. I have to provide for those seeking and not just those who have found.

What is your take on interacting with others? Do you find yourself working only with those like you? What if you were to provide mercy as Jesus did to give that which He desires of us?