GO AND LEARN

Seeker: Saying No to My Way & Yes to Following Jesus (30 Days in Matthew) - Day 11

As a teenager, I studied the rules of the road so that I could pass my driver’s exam and get a license.  I could spell out all the required responsibilities of a safe driver, and I sometimes even followed them — especially when I knew a police officer might give me a ticket. But, I failed to understand that heeding these do’s and dont’s was more than just “not speeding” to  avoid getting caught. By staying within these boundaries, I was actually showing respect for my fellow man and ensuring the safety of others on the road.

Jesus tells the pharisees to “go and learn” what Hosea 6:6 says: He desires mercy, not sacrifice.”  This was a phrase often used by rabbis to rebuke their disciples for not fully understanding what the Torah said. Basically, the teacher was schooling the wayward student who was foolishly going through the motions without true understanding.

Obviously, these religious leaders were well aware of what the law said, but they failed to apply it for the right reasons. Obedience is more than merely checking something off our to-do list and outwardly complying. Jesus wants us to love others well and act with compassion.

We can do the right thing, but if our heart does not mirror God’s mercy, we’re just sleepwalking through life with religious ritual, rather than reflecting the heart of God.