When Jesus says, “Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” He is delivering a powerful message. First and foremost, He is telling the Pharisees that they do not speak on behalf of God the Father. Although they believe they do, only Jesus Himself can speak for His Father at that moment. The path to wisdom is hard to see sometimes.
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
Furthermore, Jesus is saying, “I’ve never asked for these sacrifices. Unfortunately, I met you where you were because you had adopted this pagan custom. It held such deep meaning for you that I would have lost you if I hadn’t been willing to meet you at your level. But understand this: I never asked for this. By following My law, you should realize that it doesn’t make sense for Me to ask you to love your neighbor while also demanding the sacrifice of innocent life. That’s not who I am. I give life; I don’t take it, and I certainly don’t ask you to take it either.”
Jesus uses this statement to encourage deeper understanding. He is essentially saying that asking the people to give up their belief in sacrifices would be like asking Catholics to give up the idea of the Pope. “I never asked for the centralization of My church,” He says. The church was meant to spread out, with love for one another at its core. Jesus emphasizes that loving one another, as He has loved us, is the true foundation. Through love, everything else that needs to be done can be accomplished.
The Journey to Wisdom
Seeking wisdom is not a one-time event that suddenly fills our minds with all the answers. Instead, it is a lifelong practice, a way of living. No matter where you begin, or what you have to start with, wisdom exists within you. Every action you take reveals wisdom in some form, and it is up to us to either embrace it or reject it in favor of something else.
In reality, there are only two paths we can follow: a life of wisdom or a life of foolishness. There is no middle ground. Retaining wisdom in some areas but rejecting it in others ultimately leads to foolishness. True wisdom demands consistency, a commitment to learning and growing at every step of life.
Conclusion
Jesus’ teachings on mercy, sacrifice, and wisdom call us to look beyond the surface of traditions and rituals. They challenge us to embrace a deeper understanding rooted in love, compassion, and thoughtful reflection. Wisdom is not simply acquired; it is cultivated through our choices and actions, making it an essential guide on the path to a fulfilling and purposeful life.
