“But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.”
Memory Verse: “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6.
Over the years, our society has become more confusing than ever, and this can make it almost impossible to understand what to do when splitting between obeying God and obeying the laws of man. Balancing what is right by God vs. doing what the society states as acceptable can sometimes be a struggle. Christians are then even more confused than ever over where they stand, whom they should please and if the authenticity of the word of God still stands.
A lot has changed over the years and a few things have become a “must-do” in today’s society but while the human laws are put in place to control the society, most of which exists out of convenience, God is more concerned about us and His laws are there to protect us. Those laws are originated from His love for us such that if everyone focuses on obeying the law of God, there will be so much peace all around and likewise rewards.
In today’s scriptures, we see lack of understanding pictured. The disciples were hungry and were plucking something to eat but the Pharisees had spent so much time studying the law and have translated the actions of the disciples to various meaning that was acceptable to them so much that the failed to understand the real meaning of God’s word. As a result, they lived a very rigid life.
God made laws and is therefore above every law made by man and none of God’s laws are there to hurt us but when we misinterpret or don’t go to Him for clarity, we live according to our own understanding and can easily get mislead.
The act of sacrifice is a law that must be obeyed but God is even more interested in us focusing on the teaching of the word of God. God wants us to understand that our love for Him and others is more important than any physical sacrifices we do as Christians.
We are to step away from feeling obliged to do things. Rather than being compelled, we should start to move towards doing things because we understand God’s word.
PRAYERS:
- Father I thank You for grace and word of life
- Thank you for your unlimited breakthroughs and blessings
- Help me Lord to understand your word and live my life loving your commandments
- Help me to live my life daily walking with you and building heavenly treasures
- Help me to be kind and generous to others, fulfilling your commandment of love
- Forgive my sins Lord and answer my prayers, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
