MERCY OR SACRIFICE

Wan Shig Shin

One day when Jesus was walking with his disciples they came across tax collector’s booth. He saw Matthew and said to him “follow me.” Then Matthew immediately got up and followed him. Shortly, Jesus had a dinner in Matthew’s house. And I presume that Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home.

When Jesus and his disciples were having dinner, there were also tax collectors and sinners to join the meal. It must be quite a scene. At that time having food with others in Israel meant recognition of others, friendship, love and peace. However, there were people who distort this kind of atmosphere during the feast. The Pharisees, back in those days they were known to be the most devoted religious people and law keepers. When Pharisees saw Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners, they asked his disciples “why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?

As you know well at those times Israel was under Roman rule. Tax collectors and prostitutes were socially victims of hatred. This is because they not only took away large amount of taxes from Jewish people, but some of those money went to Roman emperor, to Jewish authorities and rest of the money for himself. They were very much hated by the Jews and even to the extent to being called “licensed robbers” And from viewpoint of religious people, they were seen to be far from God’s grace and salvation. Although there were no problems in living and had large possessions on them, there were many haters towards the tax collectors.

From the viewpoint of Jews, they were traitors and people who stole away possessions of the Jews. With these reasons, Pharisees saw tax collectors as sinners. But Jesus had feast with them. Not only them but also among other sinners as well. Therefore, as for Pharisees to appeal and judge this situation toward Jesus were as very reasonable. But despite all 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, the sinners.”

What does it mean sacrificing to God? It would be considered as religious life, volunteering, offering, and mission etc. Jesus emphasised what God dearly want from his people quoting Hosea chapter 6 verse 6. God not only values his people’s religious life but also as much loving neighbours, compassion, charity and showing love to others. This has connection with prophet Isaiah’s preaching. When the prophet Isaiah worked, Israelites offered luxurious and prosperous sacrifices to God but were lack in showing mercy to neighbours, especially to the people in need.

Back in those days, religious people killed male sheep, grown animals, male calves, young sheep, male goats, then sprayed their blood to offer to God and also offered plenty of other offerings. These people were extra-ordinary religious people. However, God said that their expensive and quality offerings won’t be accepted. Their deep and passionate prayers were not to be accepted by God as sell. Instead, God recommended this: “Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing the wrong, learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”(Isaiah 1:16, 17).

Tax collectors had stable job and large amount of possessions on the outside but their mind were always troubled and desperate. They were suffered with guilty, anxiety, afraid and alienated. To be separated from people, rejected and alienated from others must be the most desperate things in the life!

We tend to discriminate others and reject them for things such as by their job, status, family background, wealth, religion, race and skin colour. But God values all people, and wants to get his mercy. With people’s point of view he could be a person who might not receive salvation, but God’s love goes to them and also calls them to be his children. Salvation is God’s grace and gift. We ought to look up to God who gives compassion to those who are no where near deserving it.

In today’s readings there are Jesus’ silent criticisms on Pharisees. They were powerful religious people in the Jew society. They themselves confessed that they loved God the most and stick to the more than anyone else. And also thought that they were the closest people to God’s salvation and that God loved them the most. Pharisees were always so sure that their faith was strong and way of their lives was more righteous than anyone else’s.

However, Jesus’ judgment toward Pharisees was different. The standout example is to be found in Luke chapter 10 which is about Samaritan. Once there was a man who got robbed while travelling. The robber not only took the victim’s clothes off but beat him so severely, that the victim was left half dead. And also the victim’s money and other belongings were taken away from him. Just then, there were passing by few people, one of them was a priest and the other was Levi.

Both were religious people, who always thought they worshiped and loved God eager than anybody. But those two ignored dying victim of the robbery. However, after reaching their destinations, both might preached like this. “Dear brothers, love God and your neighbours” Why did Jesus tell this story? We have to remember the words ‘go and do the same’ It means we ought to show compassion and sympathy to those powerless and insignificant people.

Who are Samaritans? Aren’t they the people who were the most insignificant and rejected people in Israel’s society in those times? They were discriminated from the Jews for racial, cultural and religious reasons. And also were economically weak. Jesus’ message is that despite these conditions Samaritan still showed sympathy to the dying person. The Samaritan story reminds me of the present and the future of the Trinity Korean congregation. The congregation has still small number of people, small amount of money and draws minor attention from neighbours. At times we are looked powerless and isolated. Aren’t Koreans ourselves racially minor in this country? We at times can be victim of no interest and prejudice. Just like the Samaritan. But I won’t give up. Because there are lots of things to do and can do in God. It’s to show Christ’s compassion to our neighbours, as the Samaritan did to the victim. Jesus was very sensitive to showing compassion.

In today’s reading from versus 18 to 26 there are examples which Jesus did by himself. Ruler who had lost his daughter came to Jesus. What a desperate man he was! He came in faith that his daughter could be healed if hi touched her body. And this request put Jesus on the move. Jesus knew what was going through ruler’s mind on his own daughter’s death.

On his way to the dead girl, a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years went up to Jesus and touched the edge of Jesus’ cloak. For a long time she had been ill both physically and mentally and her possessions were almost all gone. She had received treatments from many doctors but her condition got worse. She could no longer find hopes from people, but her ultimate hope was Jesus. Jesus fought away all the pain, loneliness and despair that lied within her and showed mercy to her.

The story of ruler’s daughter and woman with illness and its most important message is that Jesus is the ruler of disease and even death. And at the same time we can get a good spiritual lesson from those stories.

What is religious faith? And what does it symbolise confessing in Jesus Christ? Today’s reading tells us we shouldn’t limit our act to only worshiping, praying offering and volunteering and etc. Because it’s also to show compassion and love to those who tend to be easily rejected and ignored like this, valuing other’s life and their existence is the start of our Christian faith. In today’s reading there can be found common things among the people that Jesus showed compassion for. They were all who felt alienation, despair, frustration and powerless and were sick. They needed the healer, and their healer was Jesus. Why does this text author want to get across this story to us?

There are many people all over the world waiting for God’s mercy. As much people are also in desperation to hear about Jesus Christ’s salvation. At the same time are also those in mass numbers suffering from hunger, disease, AIDS, flooding, earthquakes and war. Jesus says we need to become givers of Jesus’ mercy and love. We as churches need to be the people who are prompt at showing love for others. God is happy with sincere mercy, not with expensive and attractive sacrifices. Amen.