But when Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I will have mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:12-13
The Pharisees (a legalistic sect that believed one could be righteous in God’s eyes by strictly observing the law) were critical of Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners, but Jesus pointed out that He came to save sinners by calling on them to repent and look to Him in faith for God’s pardon and forgiveness. God desires mercy rather than a legalistic fulfillment of the law regarding sacrifices (cf. Hosea 6:6). He desires true repentance and faith rather than an outward performance of religious rites and rituals.
O gracious and merciful God, grant that I show mercy toward others and forgive them as You have forgiven me for the sake of Christ Jesus and His cross. Amen.
[Scripture quotations are taken from the Barbour Simplified KJV, copyright 2022, 2025. Used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc. Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683. All rights reserved.]