While reading the New Testament, an important question arises.
How could the religious leaders of Israel, who had the privilege of access to Scripture and even access to God’s presence in the inner temple not know the Son of God who was standing right before them? These were the chosen of the 12 tribes to have the special duty of offering sacrifices and interceding on behalf of the people. They had the most intimate and privileged opportunity to know God and yet they didn’t know Him at all.
In fact, they not only didn’t recognize Jesus as the promised one but they despised, hated and plotted against him. They found fault in everything Jesus did, including the wonderful miracles that brought hope and healing to those in need. When the hungry disciples gathered food on the Sabbath, they passed harsh judgment against them for breaking the Sabbath and showed no concern or compassion for their need for nourishment. They also showed no compassion for a man needing healing of a withered hand.
Jesus responds by reminding them of 2 examples in the OT where the Sabbath laws were broken and yet no judgment passed by God. He then challenges their understanding of Hosea 6:6 “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Jesus called them out on the motives of their hearts.
“And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.”(Matt 12:7) The Pharisees were worshipping the Law itself and forgetting that the Law was meant to serve the people.
”The Pharisees’ motive was not love for people, but love for themselves. They loved the law because they used the law to feel valuable...
Pharisees don’t see themselves as God’s Masterpiece mercifully being restored.
They see themselves as muddied people who cleaned themselves up (or didn’t need restoring). (John Burke)
This is an important concept to grasp. If we can humble ourselves and see ourselves as “God’s Masterpiece mercifully being restored”, then we can extend that same mercy and compassion to others. When we realize our desperate need for God’s grace then we can put away our judgments and condemnation of others who need His grace too. How easy it can be to get caught up in what we know or religious acts we carry out and lose sight of God’s heart and God’s will.
God doesn’t want our “religious offerings”. He wants our devoted, love extending hearts.
“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)