say that again...

I  am working my way through the Gospel of Matthew in my morning devotions. It has been a refreshing read for me, and am really enjoying it.

Something stood out to me the other day, because I remember sitting there thinking, "I am sure that I already read this." and wondering if I had lost my place.

The words were ""I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices."
Jesus mentions it in both Matthew 9 and Matthew 12.
Both times, before He quotes this verse, He says something else that is key. . .

The first time He says "Now go and learn the meaning of this scripture...."

And the second time He says, "IF you knew the meaning of this scripture...."

I don't believe repetition is by accident, I believe its a challenge, an encourager to "Take Note"....

And somehow both times they either needed to go and learn what that scripture meant, or it was being pointed out that they had missed the meaning of that scripture entirely. So what is the original scripture that Jesus was pointing towards.

Hosea 6:6

I want you to show love,[a]
    not offer sacrifices.
I want you to know me[b]
    more than I want burnt offerings

Again its a call to relationship, always about relationship first and foremost. The rest is good, but its not the key....so i challenge myself and all of you.... "Go and learn the meaning of this scripture."

[PS Today's Blog uses scriptures from the New Living Translation ]