“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13 ESV).
When the Pharisees asked why Jesus ate with sinners, He answered them with a common rabbinic response, “Go and learn.” For rabbis were known for sending their students back to the Scriptures to discover the answers to their own questions.
The quotation that Jesus encouraged them to study was from the prophet Hosea where God had said, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6). In other words, God valued doing good and showing mercy to others, higher than He valued the offering of religious sacrifices.
Jesus had put his finger on the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. They followed the letter of the law, performing its religious rites, but neglected the spirit of the law, failing to show mercy to others. Jesus challenged them to “go and learn” that they might recognize their own need for mercy and forgiveness. For those who have been shown mercy by the Lord, are called to be merciful to others.
The apostle James wrote, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). The Pharisees had deceived themselves into thinking that because they knew the Word, they were better than others. But Jesus called them out, challenging them to “go and learn.”
Will you obey the Teacher’s instruction to go and learn?
PRAYER: Dear Father, as we read and study Your Word, help us to go and learn. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Fill us with Your mercy and compassion for others. In Jesus’ name, amen.