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Matthew 9:13 - Obedience or Sacrifice?

Matthew 9:13 (NIV) But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

INTRODUCTION

Obedience vs. Sacrifices
   God says many times in the Bible that he doesn't want our gifts and sacrifices when we give them out of ritual or hypocrisy. God wants us first to love and obey him.
      o Obedience is better than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22-23
      o God doesn't require sacrifices or offerings; he wants us to take joy in doing his will. Psalm 40:6-8
      o God is more interested in a broken and repentant heart than in a sacrifice or burnt offering. Psalm 51:16-19
      o It isn't sacrifices God wants; he desires our obedience and promises that he will be our God and we will be his people. Jer. 7:21-23
      o God wants us to show love, not offer sacrifices. He wants us to know him more than he wants burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6
      o God hates pretense and hypocrisy; he wants to see "a mighty flood of justice." Amos 5:21-24
      o God is not satisfied with offerings; he wants you "to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:6-8
      o God wants us to be merciful, not offer sacrifices. Matthew 9:13 [Life Application SB]

COMMENTARY PEARL

The Jewish leaders looked with pride upon their magnificent temple, and the imposing rites of their religious service; but justice, mercy, and the love of God were lacking. The glory of the temple, the splendor of their service, could not recommend them to God; for that which alone is of value in His sight they did not offer. They did not bring Him the sacrifice of a humble and contrite spirit. It is when the vital principles of the kingdom of God are lost that ceremonies become multitudinous and extravagant. It is when the character building is neglected, when the adornment of the soul is lacking, when the simplicity of godliness is lost sight of, that pride and love of display demand magnificent church edifices, splendid adornings, and imposing ceremonials. In all this God is not honored. A fashionable religion that consists of ceremonies, pretense, and display, is not acceptable to Him. Its services call forth no response from the heavenly messengers.  COL297,8

COMMENTARY

The Lord is not pleased with externals alone (see Micah 6:7). What God requires of man is "to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God" (see Micah 6:8). "To obey" has always been "better than sacrifice" [SDA Bible Commentary]

Throughout the Bible, God wants our hearts, not merely our lips. He wants genuine devotion to Him that results in beneficial action toward others. Dutiful religious activity means nothing without devotion to God and a real concern for others. [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley]

This is not a declaration on the part of God that he was opposed to "sacrifices" or "offerings for sin;" for he had appointed and commanded many, and had therefore expressed his approbation of them. It is a Hebrew mode of speaking, and means, "I prefer mercy to sacrifice;" or, "I am more pleased with acts of benevolence and kindness than with a mere external compliance with the duties of religion." Mercy here means benevolence or kindness toward others. "Sacrifices" were offerings made to God on account of sin, or as an expression of thanksgiving. They were commonly bloody offerings, or animals slain; signifying that the sinner offering them deserved to die himself, and pointing to the great sacrifice or offering which Christ was to make for the sins of the world.... The sense in which our Saviour applies it is this: "You Pharisees are exceedingly tenacious of the "external" duties of religion; but God has declared that he prefers benevolence or mercy to those external duties. It is proper, therefore, that I should associate with sinners for the purpose of doing them good." (Barnes' Notes)

AI COMMENTARY

Question: What does God want us to learn about the differences between mercy and sacrifice?

   In Matthew 9:13, Jesus teaches that God values mercy (compassion, kindness, steadfast love) far above mere sacrifice (religious rituals, strict observance) because His core mission is to call sinners to repentance and offer them grace, not to judge the righteous. The difference highlights that outward religious acts are hollow without inner transformation and heartfelt compassion for those in need, emphasizing relationships and genuine heart change over ritualistic perfection, as He said, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners".
   Key Lessons from Matthew 9:13:
      1 Heart over Ritual: God desires an engaged, compassionate heart, not just religious performances or external sacrifices that lack love and empathy.
      2 Inclusivity: Jesus's purpose is to reach out to the "sick" (sinners) who need healing and repentance, not to reinforce the self-righteousness of the "well" (the religious elite).
      3 God's Character: The phrase, from the prophet Hosea, reveals God's deep desire for hesed (steadfast love, loyalty, compassion), which far surpasses the mechanical giving of offerings.
      4 Transformation: True faith involves accepting God's mercy, allowing His Spirit to transform your life, leading to genuine love and good deeds, rather than just observing rules.
   In essence, God wants us to understand that showing compassion and seeking relationship with those who need Him is the highest form of worship, more valuable than any religious duty performed without love.

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Matthew 9:13 - Religion with Power or just Form?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040205-1037.html

1 Samuel 15:22, 23 - Obedience is better than Sacrifice.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221207-1131.html

Jeremiah 7:22-24 - Obedience Brings God's Blessings.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050523-1214.html

Psalm 51:16, 17 - The Sacrifice God Honors.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2012/20120308-1310.html

Hosea 6:6 - God Desires A Love Relationship With Us And Not Just Formal Rituals
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2011/20110119-1418.html

Micah 6:8 - What God Requires of Mankind.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20251218-0358.html

LORD BLESS!!!