Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, February 7, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Sin and sacrifice were central to Jewish faith. If you broke any of the laws of Moses, you had to atone by sacrificing a specific animal or other produce based on the law that was broken.
Matthew was a sinner with a capital “S”—a tax collector who not only worked on behalf of the Roman oppressors, but also pocketed extra money for himself. Apparently he had not offered the appropriate sacrifice to atone for his sins, at least to the knowledge of those who were questioning Jesus’ decisions to hang out with the guy. Why would Jesus, who was clearly someone special in the eyes of God, choose someone like Matthew as a disciple?
I often find myself with those questioners in the story, if I’m honest. I hear about people who have caused me or others harm achieving success or I read about people who have done morally reprehensible things being touted as heroes and I shake my head. Why them? Aren’t others more deserving of what seems like God’s favor?
Jesus looks me straight in the eye and says, “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I know who it is that needs me. Oh, and by the way, you’re one of them.” Thank God for the mercy of Jesus, which pulls me out of my judgment and self-pity and reminds me that I am forgiven in spite of myself. Maybe I ought to take a play out of Jesus’ book.
Where do I see myself in this story? Am I Matthew? Another of Jesus’ followers? A Pharisee?