20151121 MERCY VS RULES

MERCY VS RULES

Matthew 12:1-8 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them.  (2)  But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, "Look, Your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath."  (3)  Jesus said to them, "Haven't you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?  (4)  He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat.  (5)  And haven't you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?  (6)  I tell you, there is One here who is even greater than the Temple!  (7)  But you would not have condemned My innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.'  (8)  For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!"

I’m reminded of the cowboy who retired after many years on the range. He moved into a city and attended a big city church. His fanciest clothing consisted of a clean pair of faded jeans and a plaid shirt which he wore with his customary cowboy boots. As he was leaving after his first visit the pastor shook his hand and said, “I’m so glad you were able to join us today for service and I hope you will return, but would you do me a favor?”

The cowboy politely indicated he would try.

The pastor went on, “Would you ask the Lord what the proper attire is for attending worship here.”

The cowboy promised he would do that. The following week he returned to the same church wearing the exact same clothing. Again, on the way out the pastor shook his hand and said, “I’m so glad you came back, but I thought we agreed you would ask the Lord what the proper attire is for attending worship here.”

The cowboy replied, “Yes sir, we did and I did indeed pray and ask the Lord this week.”

The pastor smirked and asked, “And what did the Lord tell you?”

To which the cowboy replied, “He said He didn’t know because He has never been here.”

I’m so grateful for the mercy that our Heavenly Father has shown us and shows us daily. It is important to note that the ceremonial and dietary laws were given to show us that we all fall short of God’s glory. No one was able to keep all the law except Jesus and He is Lord, even over the Sabbath.

We all have preferences in life. Some of those preferences we feel very strong about. We might even be willing to fight for them, but should we? There are things in the scriptures that are non-negotiables, but those aren’t usually what we fight over.

God’s desire for us is that we would be merciful as He is merciful. I love the way that the NLT puts this… Hosea 6:6  I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know Me more than I want burnt offerings.

Father in heaven, fill us with Your amazing love, Your mercy, Your grace. Remind us when we are getting caught up in our preferences and putting them above people. Help us to walk in holiness, but to do it with much love. In Jesus Holy and precious name, AMEN!!!

20150922 A PARTY FOR SINNERS

A PARTY FOR SINNERS

Matthew 9:12-13 When Jesus heard this, He said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do."  (13)  Then He added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

In this passage Jesus attends a party that Matthew has thrown for all his old tax collector buddies and some other cronies. I believe Matthew was introducing his old friends to his new friends and to his new life. Have you introduced your old friends to Jesus?

By this time Jesus’ activities have caught the attention of the “religious” crowd and they are watching him closely. He is gaining notoriety and a following and He doesn’t do things the way they do things. In their eyes he is dangerous and so, they are looking to catch Him doing something, anything for which they can criticize Him and for which they can keep others from following Him. And now they have it. He goes to a party with a bunch of sinners, and not just sinners, but people from the other political party. You see the tax collectors actually worked for the Roman government and collected taxes from their own people, the Israelites. They often cheated and took more than they should. Their companions were often other disreputable characters. So the religious, the Pharisees now have Him. He eats with sinners.

Jesus response is to tell them what their job was all along. It’s the sinner who needs a Savior. It’s the sick who need the doctor. It’s the dirty who need a bath. It’s the hungry who need fed, the thirsty who need water. Those who have it all together and don’t sin don’t need Jesus. They are the self-righteous, in their own eyes. In Jesus eyes, they only “think” they are righteous. They are blind to their own sin. They see others (specifically sinners) as beneath their time and effort. But Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost… the sinner, the tax collector, the liar, the cheat, the sexually immoral, the thief, the critic, the judgmental, and the list goes on.

I am so glad He came for the sinner because that means He came seeking me and you. Now let us begin to see others as Jesus does, not as those lost without hope, but as those who can be saved, redeemed by His blood.

Father in heaven, forgive us for falling into the mindset of Pharisees. Any good in us is because of Your Amazing Grace. Open our eyes to see others as You see them. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

MERCY

MERCY

Matthew 5:7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

This is pretty straight forward. If you are merciful you will receive mercy. So what does it mean to be merciful? It is refusing to give a person the punishment they deserve. It is showing kindness and forgiveness to one who has mistreated you. It is to overlook insults and slights to find a way to bless the offender.

Years ago I heard a pastor relate this story. He was on his home from a preaching engagement far away from his home town. He was driving through the night and decided to stop at a road side truck stop and restaurant. When he walked in he was the only patron. He seated himself and waited several minutes for a waitress. When she approached his table she asked him abruptly, “What do you want?”

He replied that he’d like a Danish and a cup of coffee. She returned several minutes later and practically threw the plate with the Danish and the cup and saucer on the table. The Danish slid off the plate onto the table and some of the coffee sloshed out of the cup into the saucer and onto the table.

He had every right to demand to speak to the manager, but instead he calmly ate his Danish, drank his coffee and left a $50 tip on the table. As he was exiting the door the waitress ran up to him and said, “Mister, you’ve made a mistake. I don’t think you meant to leave this on the table.”

He said, “Oh, but I did.”

She said, “You couldn’t have. I treated you awful.”

He said, “I just figured you were having a bad day and I wanted to bless you.”

She began to sob and shared that she was a single mom who had just gone through a terrible divorce. This was the only job she could find and working nights wasn’t bringing in much money.

He stood there and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with her and she became a child of God that night.

That is “Mercy.” God showed His love to us while we were still sinners by sending His Son to the cross for us. That is “Mercy.”

Micah 6:8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Emphasis added)

Do you love mercy? Oh I know you love it when others don’t get even for something wrong you’ve done, but do you love mercy? Do you love to show mercy to others? As a disciple of Jesus Christ we are called to be merciful. That means that we are not to be looking for ways to get even with others who’ve hurt us. Do you love mercy?

Father in heaven, thank You for the amazing mercy You’ve shown to us. May we be filled with mercy for others. When we are wronged, quickly remind us to be merciful, kind and forgiving as You have been and are daily to us. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!