Mercy matters more to Jesus than sacrifice

Jesus came to call people who already seem righteous

Jesus tells them to go and learn what it means

Stop and help someone in need, even if it costs you convenience

Keep the outward religious routine and leave the person for later

Do a religious task first, then maybe show kindness if there is time

Offer help only when others will notice it

Waiting until you can prove you are already right

Hiding what is wrong and trying to look better

Assuming the call is only for unusually bad people

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I need your mercy. I admit that I have lived by my own way and not by yours. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you to forgive me, change me, and lead me. I confess you as my Lord and my Savior. Amen.

Come to Jesus in Mercy

Lord, revive your Church. Forgive us when we value appearances, success, or religious activity more than mercy. Give us hearts that love the hurting, hands that help the needy, and lives marked by repentance and compassion. Wake us up to follow Jesus with sincerity again, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Renew Your Church in Mercy

Father, forgive me when I hide behind religious behavior while ignoring the needs around me. Forgive me when I care more about looking right than loving well. Turn my heart toward mercy, and teach me to turn away from every sin that keeps me from you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

From Performance to Mercy

Thank God for valuing mercy more than empty religion. Thank him for calling sinners instead of waiting for perfect people. Thank him for the grace that meets you where you are and leads you toward repentance.

Thank You for Mercy

Pray by naming one area where you need to turn back to God. Ask Jesus for mercy, ask for courage to change, and ask for one clear next step you can take today.

Pray for a Repentant Heart

Pray for someone who feels far from God, ashamed, or unworthy. Ask the Lord to make Jesus' call clear to them, to lead them to repentance, and to place merciful Christians around them who will reflect his heart.

Mercy for Someone Else

πορευθέντες{po-ref-THEN-tes###poh-rehf-THEN-tehs###go} δὲ{DE###DEH###and} μάθετε{MA-the-te###MAH-theh-teh###learn} τί{TEE###TEE###what} ἐστιν·{es-TEEN###ehs-TEEN###is} Ἔλεος{E-le-os###EH-leh-ohs###mercy} θέλω{THE-lo###THEH-loh###I desire} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} οὐ{OO###OO###not} θυσίαν·{thee-SEE-an###thee-SEE-ahn###sacrifice} οὐ{OO###OO###not} γὰρ{GAR###GAHR###for} ἦλθον{EEL-thon###EEL-thohn###I came} καλέσαι{ka-LE-se###kah-LEH-seh###to call} δικαίους{di-KE-oos###dee-KEH-oos###righteous} ἀλλὰ{al-LA###ahl-LAH###but} ⸀ἁμαρτωλούς.{ha-mar-to-LOOS###hah-mahr-toh-LOOS###sinners}

Matthew 9:13 — Source TextTAB

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