Vendor Neutral wrote:


> I'm seeking deeper insight into Matt 9:13
> 
> "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'  
> For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  NIV


> The commentary in my NIV, however, seems to say that here Christ is 
> extending His own mercy to us; that this statement is a call to 
> salvation.  I can see part of that, particularly the second sentence 
> in conjunction with Matt 9:12 ("On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is 
> not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick....").  But this 
> doesn't seem to capture the meaning of 'I desire mercy, not 
> sacrifice'

Note that Jesus says the same thing in Matt 12.  And He says
it to the same people, the Pharisees.  In both cases, He
is quoting Hosea 6:6, where it is followed with the parallel
statement "I desire...knowledge of God rather than sacrifices."

In all three places, the statement is made to the religious
authorities.  It is _their_ job to preach God's mercy rather
than mindless law-keeping.  Knowledge of God is exactly
knowledge of His message of forgiveness.  I'm asserting here
that Jesus is saying "I desire that you teachers of the Law
teach mercy, rather than sacrifice."  I think that this
is especially clear in the Matt 12 story.

Bart

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