2-19-21 THOUGHTS

Matt 9:13   "But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Below, law is cited and COMPASSION is taught.  The law was perverted and those citing it needed to repent.  But they wouldn’t.  Jesus wanted them to see a bigger lesson, one much needed in this time.  The prophets Isaiah (chp 1), Micah (chp 6), Hosea (chp 6) and Malachi (chps 2-3) worked this subject area. You cannot worship God with a compromised heart toward your fellow man.  Jesus laid open the hearts of these men in Matthew chapter 23.  It isn’t pretty.
They would not “go and learn” the meaning of COMPASSION.  They refused the Christ!

Matt 12:1-14    At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. 2  But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, "Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath." 3  But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, 4  how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? 5  "Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? 6  "But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. 7  "But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8  "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." 9  Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10  And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" — so that they might accuse Him. 11  And He said to them, "What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12  "How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13  Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other.  14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, [as to] how they might destroy Him.
The “death agenda”  came from hearts that were wrongly trained!
Prov 4:23   Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it [flow] the springs of life.
Ps 86:15   But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.  
Matt 9:36   Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

My Prayer:
Accept our praise and honor and love Oh God.  With continual zeal and effort, help us to guard our hearts.  Make us aware of the information we allow into our hearts.  Help us to choose carefully and wisely.  Make our hearts as the heart of Jesus.  May we ever be loving and compassionate.  May we learn the joy of giving and serving.  In the name of Jesus     Amen.