It would be best if you were to read the first fourteen verses of Matthew 12. I have some idea of what this might mean, but it is a flemsy answer. I thank you for taking the time to answer this, but ask that you would not go off topic :-). Thank you.
2007-03-03 17:22:10 · 10 answers · asked by Joe 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God wants mercy (concern for other people) put before sacrifice (ligalistic ritual observance).
In 9:12,13, Jesus condemned the Pharisees as people who were more concerned about religious forms than about compassion. Jesus cannot help those who think they are righteous and need no help.
2007-03-03 17:33:51 · answer #1 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Joe. In the previous verses of Matthew 12 we read that the Pharisees had just condemned Jesus and His disciples for gathering grain to eat on the Sabbath. The Pharisees knew that the law said not to work on the Sabbath. Jesus speaking in Matthew 12:5 tells us more:
"Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? "
Matthew 12:5 is a very important statement concerning our salvation. God is telling us that even though the Priests had desecrated the temple, they were still innocent because God had pardoned them. The Pharisees believed their good works would get them into heaven. But Christ was telling them they were wrong. In Matthew 12:7-8 Jesus replies:
"If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
Jesus is not saying we are not to obey the Sabbath, He is telling us that we will be justified by His mercy and not of our own works.
2007-03-04 02:06:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
See Mic 6.6-8
1 Sam 15.22
Hos 6.6
It helps to have a Scofield study Bible for references
The way the Hebrews were able to connect with God was by sacrifice, appeasement, for their wrongs. God was up above.The law was harsh because they were course, unrefined "stiff-necked people".Hence the 10 Commandments,.
The references above are transitional ones to the new law that Jesus was bringing to the world. The Sermon on the Mount consists of laws but ones that are more subtle, they must be put to the Holy Spirit to understand and apply and they demand mercy, not an eye for an eye. It's about love not the law and love contains mercy (unconditional) balanced with the law, tough love (conditional).God was no longer above but all around like the fish in the sea would be surrounded by the Holy Spirit and even breath it in.
People have been evolving, Jesus brought the new teaching to expedite that evolution. He had a hard time with understanding why he had to sacrifice himself to make the transition, but if he hadn't people may never have gotten the lesson.
2007-03-04 02:05:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the wages of sin is death. Blood sacrificing was a way of getting forgiven so the penalty of death was waived. But we still have to atone for our sins. So he wants us to have mercy on people who have sinned against us. That way He can have mercy on us. Remember He always said " As you judge , so shall you be judged". as you forgive so shall ye be forgiven. Also he knew his Son would be the blood sacrifice for all time. So that is why he said he no longer required sacrifice . Since Jesus he only requires mercy now. Hope it helped. MGB
2007-03-04 03:29:51 · answer #4 · answered by swindled 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Jesus emphasizes that we must look beyond the letter of the Law. While technically violating the Sabbath by eating the holy bread, David and his companions are not condemned because of God's plan to use David. While technically violating the Sabbath prohibition against work, the priests serving in the Temple are not violating the Law because they are doing what they are called to do to bless God's Temple. We must look beyond the letter of the Law and listen for the heart of God in the Law. Jesus is greater than David and greater than the Temple. For him, the work of God must continue everyday, especially on Sabbath days, because that is the will of God beyond the Law of God."
2007-03-04 01:30:59 · answer #5 · answered by irish1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It first refers to Jesus' first mention of it in Matthew 9:13, where he's talking about the Pharisees wanting Christ to stay away from the sinners and Christ tells them that He's here to have mercy on the sinners, and not to make them have to go to hell for their sins. So in chapter 9 they're like "you're supposed to be holy and good and you're with the sinners" and the phrase refers to His mercy on them.
Then they come to him again in chapter 12 and they're like "stop doing stuff on the sabbath" and Jesus is like "I'm going to go out of my way to make sure no one is left behind, even on the sabbath. I'm above the law, and I don't want anyone to suffer."
I'm kinda tired, but it makes sense to me.
2007-03-04 01:36:21 · answer #6 · answered by Christian #3412 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was stating his preeminence, appealing for true religion, and stating that sacrifices were insufficient for salvation. This is done in view of his reproving the Pharisees of their blindness concerning the sabbath.
2007-03-04 01:29:02 · answer #7 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Justice, Mercy, Compassion, and Faith. to be exact.
2007-03-04 01:27:32 · answer #8 · answered by chucky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe there was a chick back then by the name of Mercy.
2007-03-04 01:27:34 · answer #9 · answered by closetcoon_fan 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Whatever he meant, he did not get it according to ancient middle eastern tales and legends...
2007-03-04 07:08:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋