Law vs. Grace

I tell you that one 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.  

Matthew 12:6-8

Jesus was always being scrutinised by the Pharisees. They were constantly looking out for things he did to break the law to find reasons to accuse him. However, Jesus put mercy and grace above the law and so he healed a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath. Jesus reminded the Pharisees that God desires mercy and not sacrifice, and that the innocent should not be condemned in keeping the law.

Similarly, we must always remember that God wants us to show grace and mercy to others and not just abide by laws blindly or be legalistic for the sake of it. We should not go about our daily routines, no matter how holy it could be, and neglect extending God's grace and mercy to those who need it.

Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me for the legalistic routines in my daily life.  Help me to be sensitive to the needs of the people around me and extend Your grace and mercy to those whom You put in my life.  May my life be a living testimony of the indescribable depths of Your love to us and the reality of Your presence in our daily lives. Amen.