Matthew 9:13
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Today’s Bible verse is
Matthew 9:13 (NIV)
13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Let’s read the verse in context:
Matthew 9:1-13 (NIV)
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” 4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 And the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men. 9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.
11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ’sinners’?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Today’s Quiet Time with God
After Matthew began to follow Jesus, he held a dinner at his house. Since he had invited many of his friends to this dinner, many tax collectors and “sinners” were present. I think he did this so his friends could meet Jesus. The Jews hated tax collectors, for they collected money to support the Romans, and tax collectors often took in more than necessary and pocketed the difference. The Pharisees (the religious leaders of the day), would never eat with or associate with such people. They asked Jesus’ disciples why He was eating with them. Jesus response lays out the heart of His ministry. He had come to people who knew they had a need. The Pharisees didn’t think they were sinners (sick) and therefore they had no need of a physician (Jesus). While the Pharisees had the sacrifice part down, they had no compassion. When there is no mercy an compassion present, the religious formalities are meaningless. Let’s remember our need for a Savior and keep our eyes on Jesus! You will be blessed as you do.
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