Matthew 9:13 But go you and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous… It is a characteristic of all false religions to make more of the outward sacrifices we could offer to God than of the infinite mercy He is willing to show to us. I. THE TENDERNESS OF THE SAVIOUR'S CHARACTER. 1. In connection with what has been revealed to us concerning His mission and life and work. This harmonizes with all the prophetic intimations given of His character. The tenderness of His character has accompanied Him to heaven, a permanent condition of His nature. II. VIEW THIS COMPASSIONATE ATTRIBUTE OF OUR LORD IN ITS BEARING IN SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 1. How should we be comforted by it under our early convictions of sin, and doubts of the Divine forgiveness. 2. It should be comforting under the weakness of our failing hearts, when it is hard to grasp the promise, and faith is uncertain. 3. As it bears upon our slow progress in the Divine life, and fluctuations of religious feeling. 4. In adversity and temptation the Christian has a strong refuge in Christ's tenderness. 5. In death he feels the Saviour's tenderness. (D. Moore, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. |
    |