Revcort's Ramblings

Scripture Focus

“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Matthew 9:13 (ESV)

Devotional Thought

Few verses capture the heart of the Gospel as clearly as this one. When Jesus spoke these words, He was correcting the Pharisees—men who prided themselves on religious performance, ritual precision, and moral appearance. Yet beneath all their sacrifices and ceremonies, they had missed the very heart of God: mercy.

God’s desire has never been for empty ritual or self-righteous effort. He doesn’t need our attempts to earn His approval. The truth is, we cannot make ourselves holy enough, pure enough, or good enough to be accepted by Him. Our sin runs too deep. But God’s mercy runs deeper still.

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice” means that salvation is not something we work for—it’s something God gives. He doesn’t love us because we’re lovable; He loves us in spite of our sin, rebellion, and pride. That’s humbling. It wounds our ego to admit that we bring nothing to the table except our need. Yet it’s only when we come to Him as sinners in need of mercy that we discover the true beauty of grace.

And here’s the wonder of it all: once His mercy takes hold of us, it changes us. The same God who calls sinners doesn’t leave them in their sin. He transforms God-hating rebels into God-loving saints, not through our strength but through His Spirit. What begins as mercy becomes a lifelong miracle of grace.

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways do you still try to “earn” God’s love or approval through your own efforts?

2. How does it change your view of God to know that He desires mercy, not sacrifice?

3. Who in your life might need to see the mercy of God reflected through you today?

Closing Prayer

Merciful Father, thank You that You did not wait for me to be worthy before You loved me. Thank You for desiring mercy over sacrifice, and for sending Jesus to bear the sacrifice I could never make. Teach me to rest in Your grace and extend that same mercy to others. Transform my heart by Your Spirit so that my life reflects Your compassion and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.