Title: Seek Only Mercy!/Matt 9:9-13
Content: Ask for mercy only! / Matthew 9:9-13
Key Verse: “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (verse 13a).
The Word: In Tolstoy's book, 'What Do Man Live By?', there are answers to three important questions in life.
“What is inside a human being?” “There is love deep within a human being.” “What is it that is not allowed or disallowed?” “It is the knowledge to know what is really needed.” “What do humans live by?” Man lives only by love.”
As I was reading this article, a question like this came to mind. “What is the most important thing in our life in this world?”
In the text, the Lord sees Matthew sitting at the customs office and calls, “Follow me” (verse 9). The world despised the tax collector Matthew, but the Lord acknowledged that he was a sinner and called for a soul who was waiting only for God's mercy with a sad heart. He not only calls, but dwells with him. When the Pharisees rebuked this, the Lord answered: “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (verse 13). will be
Here, mercy has three meanings as ‘a heart of pity’. ‘Not if’. Compassion has no prerequisites. ‘Not because’. Mercy is without reason. It is ‘Not give & take’. Mercy doesn't ask for rewards. That is, unconditional love, love without cause, love without compensation, or God's unconditional love, who loves even to death, is mercy. Through this mercy, Matthew, who was a sinner, was called to be a disciple of Jesus and was honored to become the author of the Bible. Today, through this mercy, we too have been forgiven of our sins and justified and become children of God (Ephesians 2:4-5).
Prayer: Only the wings of Your mercy cover us, who are weak, who cannot live even a day without Your mercy. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord's Prayer