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. […]
Category:In Jesus' Words - from Matthew
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 […]
Category:In Jesus' Words - from Matthew
Jesus heals what others cannot – our hurts, our regrets, our sins, our fears. If Jesus is who he said he was, then his words and actions as recorded in the Bible are what truly matters, and not the rambling and conflicting noise we hear on tv or the news or other self-proclaimed experts. It’s a confusing world out there. If I were not strong in my faith, strongly rooted in the things I have seen and known to be true over the years, I too could be a very conflicted person. I started writing this series at the beginning of this year to focus […]
Category:In Jesus' Words - from Matthew
What are you doing out of the ordinary? This is what Jesus asked the crowds during his Sermon on the Mount. It is my favorite part of Jesus’ sermon so far, as I continue on my journey of reading through Jesus’ words in the New Testament. It’s relatable, even for today. Go the extra mile. We’ve all heard this phrase before, but did you know it actually originated with Jesus? If we apply the principles Jesus mentions in this one passage, I believe it would take care of most of our problems. Matthew 5:33-48 ~ Tell the truth. Go the second mile. Love your enemies. ~ “Again, you have […]
Category:In Jesus' Words - from Matthew
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About the Author
Sue McCusker is a writer, Bible teacher, and web developer who loves sharing the stories of life, hope, and faith she sees around her every day. She has written for Guideposts and Angels on Earth magazines, and teaches the story of God in women's Bible study.
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Happy are the feet of those who bring good news! Isaiah 52:7
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