“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”—Matthew 9:13 (NIV)

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”—Hosea 6:6 (NIV)

Picture this: In preparation for Christmas morning, a parent carefully wraps a gift for their child. When they’re finished, it looks beautiful on the outside—shiny paper and a perfect bow. But when Christmas comes, the child opens the box only to find it’s empty. How would the child feel? Elated or disappointed? No matter how pretty the wrapping, the disappointment is inevitable, because the whole point of a gift is what’s inside.

That’s exactly the situation Jesus is confronting with the Pharisees. They had perfected the spiritual “wrapping” of sacrifices, prayers, and rituals. Everything looked right on the outside, but inside their hearts were empty of the very thing God desired: mercy.

In Matthew 9:13, Jesus quotes the prophet Hosea to remind us that God isn’t impressed by outward religious performance when compassion is missing. He doesn’t want hollow sacrifices; He wants hearts that beat with His mercy for others. Religion without love is like that empty gift box, impressive on the outside but disappointing when opened.

Jesus isn’t looking for perfection; He’s looking for love in action. He didn’t come for the self-sufficient who think they’ve got it all together. He came for sinners, for the broken, the weak, and the overlooked. And He calls us, as His followers, to reflect His heart by showing mercy to those in need.

Every act of kindness, every moment of compassion, every time we choose love instead of judgement, that’s the kind of worship God desires. So the question for each of us is this: Are we more concerned with looking religious or with living mercifully? To follow Jesus is to live out mercy every day, toward our family, neighbors, and especially the most vulnerable among us.

Pause: Where have I been more focused on looking “spiritual” than showing mercy? Who around me needs my compassion more than my critique?

Practice: Choose one person this week to show mercy to, by forgiving them, meeting a need, or offering kindness when judgment feels easier.

Pray: Our Father, who is merciful and whose love is steadfast and sure, we praise You. We thank You for Jesus, who was given that we might be justified before You. We thank You for Your Spirit, who counsels us and guides us in Your way. Father, teach our hearts what it truly means that You desire mercy and not sacrifice. Give us lives of devotion and faithfulness, a faith that mirrors Your faithfulness, a love that’s not fleeting, but one that abides in You. May our confessions not be mere formality, but the overflow of a desire to be conformed to Your love, so we may reflect that love to others. Help us embrace fully our relationship with You and the gift of repentance. Make us lovers of Your presence and replicators of Your nature—seeking You in the ordinary and remaining anchored in Your love when the storms rage. Thank You, God, that in Jesus we have life and that in Your presence there is fullness of life. We repent for the times we’ve gone through the motions, checking off tasks while ignoring Your invitation to fellowship. We repent for every moment we’ve lived apart from Your love, exalting the ways of the world above Your ways. Lord, root our hearts in what it means to be loved by You. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.