Jesus' "homework"!

Matthew 9:13 NLT

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."

This parched land is at last receiving some rain after many days of drought.

We hope it will be plentiful and gentle penetrating the thirsty ground. Yet, even as I write, it is stopping.

Shakespeare wrote about mercy in his play The Merchant of Venice:

"The quality of mercy is not strained;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes"

In the passage above, Jesus addresses the Pharisees who angrily accuse Jesus, via His disciples, of eating with tax collectors and sinners.

Jesus' response is equally accusing and directly confrontational, and, He gives them some "homework" to do from the Scriptures.

In effect He tells them to open their Scrolls and read what the Lord wants of them.

Here Jesus quotes from Hosea:

Hosea 6:6 NKJV

For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Paul develops this further by saying:

1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love on its knees is merciful, like gentle rain on parched ground, softening and enlivening what seems to be a hopeless, dried up shrub.

You and I were once like that shrub - shriveled up with sin, but the mercy of Jesus rained down on us from Calvary.

So, we must rain down that mercy on others - not in a self righteous way, but as one passing on what we've received BECAUSE WE ALL NEED THAT MERCY.

So, pass it on in the love that Christ has shown us.

Have I done my "homework"?