Jesus said, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:7-8) Sacrifice is what we do for ourselves. Mercy is what we do for others. Sacrifice is what we do to save ourselves. Mercy requires someone else to save us. Sacrifice is about us. Mercy is about Jesus. I saw a woman being interviewed on television this week, in response to the Chattanooga shootings in her hometown. When she spoke, her expression was kind, not angry, and her voice was calm but with a pleading sadness to it. It caught my attention as I looked up from my work. […]
No one else has ever claimed they can forgive sins except Jesus. The concept was incomprehensible at the time. Why did Jesus say this? Not once or twice, but all the time. Jesus’ response to this question was just as unconventional. He asks those that questioned him, Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? Then even more puzzling, Jesus picks out a tax collector in the crowd and goes to his house to eat with him and other sinners. Tax collectors were so hated at the time that they were called out separately from all the other sinners. They were a special class of sinners. Can you imagine how Matthew the […]
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About the Author
Sue McCusker is a freelance writer, Bible teacher, and former corporate IT Analyst. Her stories have been published in several Guideposts books and magazines, as well as in her devotional book, A Christmas Story Devotional. She loves sharing stories of life, hope, and faith, and inspiring others to experience real faith in their everyday lives.
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