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Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
1 . God desires
Matthew 12:1-8 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
2 . God desires
Hosea 6:6 “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”
3 . God desires
QUESTIONS
For personal reflection or group discussion
Read Matthew 9:9-13. It is easy for us to point fingers at the Pharisees, but most of us have a similar struggle. If the Pharisees had understood the heart of God and not just the law of God, how might they have responded with compassion towards the “sinners”? We may not have asked Jesus’ disciples why he eats with “tax collectors and sinners”, but we have a group in mind. Take a moment for honest reflection. What lines have you drawn with a group of people, type of person, that Jesus would cross?
Read Matthew 12:1-8. What would it look like for you to be an agent of God’s healing to the people around you?
Read Luke 10:38-42. Like Martha, what are some of the things of life that can distract you from time with Jesus? What can you do this week to help you be more present with God?
- Read Ephesians 2:4-9. Starting with the grace you see in these verses, make a list of how the Lord has shown you “Hessed” (unfailing or devoted love and grace) since the start of this year.
- Read Hosea 6:6 and Micah 6:8. Take some time in reflection and prayer today. As you look at your own life and heart, where have you fallen into the trap of making your faith about the rules and rituals but forgotten the heart of God?
JORDAN BAKE SALE
Pick up a sweet treat today to support a great cause! Our Jordan outreach team is raising funds to buy food boxes for refugee families they will visit in Jordan this May!
CAMP ATTITUDE
Want to take a vacation with a purpose this Summer? One of TLC’s best (and most affordable) mission service trips is called “Camp Attitude.” It is a summer camp in Oregon for families with children who have special needs. There are all kinds of ways you can help serve at Camp Attitude. This outreach trip is great for all ages, families, singles, any life stage! Want to find out more? Stop by the Outreach Display in the lobby and get all your questions answered! Anyone who is able bodied and wants to serve can go. This is a great outreach for families!
ADVENTURES IN PARENTING SEMINARS
THIS weekend’s topic: Discipling Your Kids in the Way of Jesus. Get the essentials on what discipling our kids means, and how we can bring God- centered rhythms into the everyday life of our families. Led by Yolanda Beaudoin (TLC Director of Children’s Ministry) and Kristin Jensen (Young Families Ministry Director). Sunday 3/30 11am–12:15pm in Rm 9101 next to Loft Coffee. Drop off your kids at church and come on over!
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