“I DESIRE MERCY”
Matthew 9:9-13

It might surprise some people to discover that the majority of Jesus' time was spent among those who had the worst reputations. There is a common misconception that the Lord, being the holy Son of God that He is, would have associated more with those who strove to be holy in their own lives; just as there is the misconception today that those who are closest to God are those who appear to live the most moral and upstanding lives. But, such is not always the case. As Jesus' own opponents observed, “This man eats with tax collectors and sinners!” Jesus could be found with those whose lives were anything but commendable or admirable—the dishonest tax collectors, the prostitutes, the social misfits and outcasts. And the reason? The Lord answers that question in today's text : “ Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”

Obviously, that doesn't mean that there really are some people who don't need the Great Physician, the Lord Jesus; everyone is sinful and needs the Savior. Rather, there are all too many who think that they can get along without Christ or, at least, only require the Lord's help once in a while; as if to say, “I'll do my best to live like I should, and where I come up short, the Lord can pick up the slack.”

But that's not how it is at all. The word that is translated in our text for today as, “sinners” literally, in the Greek language, that word means to “miss the mark.” To use an illustration from archery, it's like aiming at the bulls-eye on the target, and no matter how many times you shoot the arrow, it either comes up short or ends up somewhere outside the red circle. A person might take pride in the fact that his arrow got close to the target, but unless you hit it dead center, it's still a miss.

That is how the Bible describes the matter of our sin. It's missing the mark. God has set up this perfect target for us to hit, known as the Ten Commandments. But no matter how hard we try to hit it dead center, we fail. And the worst part of it is, just one failed attempt and we have lost the contest forever. There are no second tries. Once you miss the mark, you are condemned to everlasting death.

There were some in Jesus' day who tried to pretend that that wasn't the case. They were known as the Pharisees. They wanted to claim that they had hit the mark every single time and they looked down their noses with contempt on anyone whom they felt was not in their league.

Well, these were the people about whom Christ was speaking when He said, “ Those who are well have no need of a physician.” They failed to see the truth of their own terminal condition.

But, there were others who recognized their state all too well. They did not try to cover up that which was evident, not only in their outward lives, but inside of their hearts as well. They did not pretend to be something that they weren't; namely, poor, miserable sinners. And these people were more than eager to have Christ near them, for they knew that only He had the remedy for their sin sick souls, the remedy of mercy.

People, are you a Pharisee or are you a miserable sinner? Are you spiritually healthy in your own right or are you terribly sick and in desperate need of the Great Physician?

Perhaps one of the most accurate gauges of our condition is seen, not only in the way that we look at ourselves but also, in the way that we look at other people.

Even now, is there someone in your life—perhaps, your spouse, a child, a parent, a former friend, coworker, or church member—against whom you are harboring bitterness or resentment? Are there those individuals who have missed the mark, according to your own expectations? Have they said or done something that you think might be forgivable by God, but will never merit or deserve your own forgiveness?

If so, then may God the Holy Spirit open our eyes to see the true condition of our hearts. It's not simply a matter that we have a few faults or flaws which are generally outweighed by our better traits. We are sinners who deserve nothing but temporal and eternal punishment. Neither is it a case where God is satisfied with repentance over most of our sins but that He understands why we really can't bring ourselves to let go of the bitterness in those few exceptional circumstances.

Maybe it's a situation where we are waiting for the other person in this equation to make the first move. If and when that other individual says or does something to make amends, then we'll be glad to let them off the hook.

But, listen to what Jesus says, “Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.'” Do we know what this means? What it means is that there is no situation or circumstance where we are allowed to make our forgiveness, our love, or our acceptance of other people conditional.

Why? Because there were no conditions under which God decided to have mercy upon us—except one. The condition that Jesus would have to suffer and die for every single one of our sins. And, more than that, that He would have to suffer and die for that sinfulness that exists in us through and through.

Christ is the one who would offer the sacrifice. Therefore, the only expectation that He rightfully has for us is mercy.

There are some here today who have come to church with heavy burdens of guilt weighing on their hearts and minds. They identify themselves with the likes of St. Matthew—as being outcasts because of the kind of life they have led or on account of the things they have done. They make no excuses over the fact that they have not lived as God would have them live. And so they come here today seeking mercy.

And they are sure to find it in the wonderful Gospel promise that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more (Rom. 5:20 ). God's Word assures them that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” (1 John 1:9). It's not about making yourself acceptable to God. It's all about the fact that God has already made you acceptable to Him by giving you the life of Jesus Christ to replace your own. “Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.” And He does, even as the blessing of the Lord's own body and blood bestows it upon us!

And there are some who have come to church today with the heavy burden of a different kind—it's the weight of that chip that they have been carrying around on their shoulders for who knows how long. And now it's time to get rid of it. Because, so far, the only purpose it has served is to keep us at arms length from people whose only crime is that they are sinners just like we are. “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3). “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you,” (Matthew 7:2). Love your neighbor as yourself. That is the second greatest commandment, right behind, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” And, dearly beloved, it is such a relief and joy when two people who were at odds with each other are finally reconciled.

Once again, the Sacrament of the Altar today will provide both the unity we desire and the means by which it is accomplished. For the Lord's body and blood not only empowers us to forgive as we have been forgiven, but it also reconciles us with each other, as the Word of God promises, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread,”(1 Cor. 10:17).

The Lord Jesus called Matthew to a new life. And Matthew rose from his tax collection booth and followed Christ. And the next place we see him is reclining at the table with Jesus. Today, God's mercy calls us to do the same. To leave behind the guilt of our sin and pride and to join the Lord here at His table. And then to depart, unburdened, and go in peace.

Ezekiel 2:8-3:11

"But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you." And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. And he said to me, "Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel ." So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, "Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it." Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey. And he said to me, "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them. For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel— not to many peoples of foreign speech and a hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, if I sent you to such, they would listen to you. But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me. Because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart. Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house." Moreover, he said to me, "Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears. And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord G od ,' whether they hear or refuse to hear."

Ephesians 2:4-10

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Matthew 9:9-13

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