Passion for Compassion
Reading: Matthew 12:1-13
“To love your neighbour is more important
than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mk 12:33)
Mercy is probably the flag of God’s army. Our God is a merciful God and He has instructed us to be merciful to all, irrespective of sinners or saints, creed or caste. As we go about with a passion for compassion, there are seven principles that need to be considered. Today we will see one.
1. Mercy-over-Law Principle
Even in the Old Testament mercy superceded the Law. People wanted to stone and kill a woman caught in adultery but Jesus chose to forgive her. The law-ers ended up with rotten egg all over their faces. By law Mary would have faced the same barbaric fate, had not Joseph, a righteous man intended to secretly put her away to spare her public disgrace. People, righteous at heart were always able to discern when to apply the law and when to dispense mercy. Mercy alone transfigures the human heart. Jehosheba cared the less for the queen’s command to kill the prince but saved him (2 Ki 11:2).
While Jesus was dining in Matthew’s house, the crooks came and sat with Him. The Pharisees were upset and questioned Jesus’ disciples. Jesus shot back, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Mt 9:13), meaning, sinners need mercy. Jesus lived under the old covenant and sinners were off limits for Him. Under the law sinners were severely punished. No embrace, no love, no mercy for them. Jesus chided their spirit of condemnation.
When the hungry disciples plucked and munched the grains, the Pharisees condemned them because they broke the law. But Jesus defended them saying they were innocent because they were humgry (Mt 12:7). Jesus was sent for the lost sheep of Israel. But when a Canaanite woman begged for her demon-possessed daughter, Jesus could ignore her no more (Mt 15:24).
We take out the calculator to see how much tithe we should pay, but we leave out the weightier matters of the Law — fairness, compassion and faithfulness. Let us not deny mercy to anyone for the sake of a rule. We must treat people not by law but by mercy, though often we need to balance both. The king forgave the servant’s debt when he fell at his feet and cried. That’s mercy over law (Mt 18:23-35). Let’s follow our King’s pattern!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Passion for Compassion
Reading: Matthew 12:1-13
“To love your neighbour is more important
than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mk 12:33)
Mercy is probably the flag of God’s army. Our God is a merciful God and He has instructed us to be merciful to all, irrespective of sinners or saints, creed or caste. As we go about with a passion for compassion, there are seven principles that need to be considered. Today we will see one.
1. Mercy-over-Law Principle
Even in the Old Testament mercy superceded the Law. People wanted to stone and kill a woman caught in adultery but Jesus chose to forgive her. The law-ers ended up with rotten egg all over their faces. By law Mary would have faced the same barbaric fate, had not Joseph, a righteous man intended to secretly put her away to spare her public disgrace. People, righteous at heart were always able to discern when to apply the law and when to dispense mercy. Mercy alone transfigures the human heart. Jehosheba cared the less for the queen’s command to kill the prince but saved him (2 Ki 11:2).
While Jesus was dining in Matthew’s house, the crooks came and sat with Him. The Pharisees were upset and questioned Jesus’ disciples. Jesus shot back, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Mt 9:13), meaning, sinners need mercy. Jesus lived under the old covenant and sinners were off limits for Him. Under the law sinners were severely punished. No embrace, no love, no mercy for them. Jesus chided their spirit of condemnation.
When the hungry disciples plucked and munched the grains, the Pharisees condemned them because they broke the law. But Jesus defended them saying they were innocent because they were humgry (Mt 12:7). Jesus was sent for the lost sheep of Israel. But when a Canaanite woman begged for her demon-possessed daughter, Jesus could ignore her no more (Mt 15:24).
We take out the calculator to see how much tithe we should pay, but we leave out the weightier matters of the Law — fairness, compassion and faithfulness. Let us not deny mercy to anyone for the sake of a rule. We must treat people not by law but by mercy, though often we need to balance both. The king forgave the servant’s debt when he fell at his feet and cried. That’s mercy over law (Mt 18:23-35). Let’s follow our King’s pattern!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
