Go and learn what it means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
“Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Matthew 9:13
Jesus said this in explanation to why He was spending time ministering to the despised tax collectors rather than “good” people. Those who recognize they are not good and cannot be good and respond to Jesus’ offer to make them good are why He came. He doesn’t want people to cover their brokenness with religious activity without affecting the heart. Instead, he wants them to be changed by His grace and then to offer that same grace to others. He wants humble hearts which in gratitude show mercy to others in the same way they were shown mercy.
