Matthew 11:28-12:7; Colossians 2:8, 16-23

Jesus’ statement that God “would have mercy and not sacrifice” invites us to undergo a theological paradigm shift. The religious leaders of the day failed to understand this about God. This lack of understanding kept them tied to human religious systems. They consequently misjudged others and missed what God was doing. More tragically, they demonstrated that they had a distorted view of the nature and heart of God. Religion continues to be alluring and exercises power and influence with the same consequences. Through a meditation on Jesus’ statement in Matthew 12:7 we will look at our own need for a shift from religiousness to mercy and compassion.