Scripture Reading

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Matthew 9:9-13

Reflection Questions

• Why do we often think of giving up something as a loss rather than an occasion to party with Jesus and others?
• What kinds of mercy do you need to receive this Easter season? How can you celebrate this new place of mercy and new life in Christ?
• Think about Jesus’ directive to “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice’” (Matt 9:13 NKJV). How can this Easter season teach us to show mercy to others rather than seeking to protect our efforts like the Pharisees?