08/06/2026
Hosea5:15-6.6; Romans4:13-end; Matthew9:9-13,18-26
Jesus said, " Those who are well have no need of a physician, but for those who are sick. Go and learn what this may mean. I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have come to to call not the righteous, but the sinners."
Matthew then goes on to tell us about the synagogue leader whose daughter had died and the haemorrhaging woman.
What does this mean to us and how can we apply it to our lives today?
Well, firstly, it demonstrates faith. Peoples faith in Jesus to perform miracles. And here Matthew tells us of the miracle of raising the synagogue leaders dead daughter to life; and the miracle of curing the bleeding woman.
Secondly it tells us that Jesus is mixing with the outcasts, Tax collectors and sinners. People whose work or lifestyles took them to the edge of their communities and society. He wasn't afraid of them, or what it would do to his reputation. He would treat them with respect; converse and interact with them; and more importantly give them hope, a self worth and introduce them to faith in God. Matthew uses the bleeding woman as an example. She would have been unable to fulfil the purification rites of the Jewish faith and law at that time, and therefore was unable to be accepted into their society. It was her faith in Jesus power to heal her that cured her.
Thirdly, Jesus desires mercy, not sacrifice. According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, Mercy means-
compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm:
an event to be grateful for, because it prevents something unpleasant or provides relief from suffering:
(especially a journey or mission) performed out of a desire to relieve suffering.
And this is where, and how, it can affect us;
It challenges our belief in God and faith in His work, whatever/where ever that is;
It challenges our compassion, forgiveness and understanding to others with a different lifestyle to our own.
It encourages us into having the conviction to act or speak up loudly, with the support of the Holy Spirit, on behalf of the needy or those with differing lifestyles to our own. In other words to be an advocate for global and local issues on justice, peace, oppression; for the marginalised and under dogs. But Jesus is not asking us to give up what we already have, and I'm talking about materialistic things here, unless God leads/asks you to, but to use the talents He has given you to on behalf of others.
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, also talks about faith. The faith Abraham had, and continued to have, when God promised him he and his descendants would inherit the world. A promise fulfilled long after Abraham died. The faith he had in God when God told him Sarah, his elderly, barren wife would conceive and give him a son and heir; whilst he himself was old.
Paul insinuates the fulfilment of the promise to Abraham and his descendants would not come from only following the law, it comes from trusting Gods plan over and above complying with the law. This God calls righteousness, and through this, God rested his grace on him.
This same grace will rest on us if we, through our faith, have to stand up and be counted when advocating for others; in order to improve lives for others and bring about peace in the world.
The prophet Hosea calls for mankind to return to God. People had become too indulgent for their own pleasures. Much like society today. But it leads to a situation of always wanting more; of never being satisfied with what you have, or thankful. Hosea too had faith. Faith that God will heal us as sinners, revive us as spiritually starved; and raise us up to eternal life. He also predicts the coming of Christ in answer to their needs at that time.
As history repeats itself, and looking at todays world, we too can look forward to the coming of Christ, his second coming.
It is thought provoking how important Faith is to a person. Faith gives us so much; with hope, peace, contentment, satisfaction, thankfulness and eternal life.
All of these readings share the same faith. Together they reveal how God has remained constant through life's trials and tribulations and throughout the ravages of time. He doesn't want us to make sacrifices in our lives, he just wants our steadfast love, our capability to learn more about him, and ability introduce him to other people.
