Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:13
As we begin the Season of Pentecost, let us take our marching orders from Jesus himself. In St. Matthew’s gospel Jesus tells His followers to, “Go and learn” what it means that He desires mercy over sacrifice. It’s my prayer that together we will learn what it truly means to be filled with mercy.
We talk a lot about being filled with the Holy Spirit, but until we understand the life of mercy Jesus desires of us we will fall short of realizing all that our Pentecostal experience of being filled really means. It’s all about transformation.
By the divine power of God dwelling in us, we can live empowered as little Christ’s in this world; it’s His plan; that we live as His merciful servants toward all humanity. Too often we settle for thinking God’s plan is all about believing and if we’ll only believe we’ll be alright. That’s only the beginning. He has so much more in store for us. We must go beyond belief and into the mystical, Pentecostal experience of the Holy Spirit within.
How do we do this you ask? It all begins with worship. Worship is spirit forming and Jesus said we must worship the Father in Spirit and truth (John 4:24). That truth begins with the knowledge that God is here among us, indwelling those who open themselves to Him.
Won’t you begin today? Tell Him He’s welcome in you!
Grace and Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
Merciful Father, you are welcome in me. Come and fill me unto overflowing. Teach me your ways of mercy that I may walk in them. Amen.
Image credit: https://dgaskins08.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/i-desire-mercy-and-not-sacrifice-mt-913-127/