Today’s reading: Matthew 9, 10
The New Testament begins with four gospels all written about the same subject, the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. They are each, however, written from a different perspective and to a different audience.
- John was written to new Christians and non-Christians searching for truth. His goal was to demonstrate that Jesus was (and is) the Son of God and the only source of eternal life.
- Luke affirms Jesus’ divinity, but emphasizes his humanity. Luke was written to Gentiles.
- Mark was written to present the person, work and teachings of Jesus to Roman Christians, proving to them that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah.
- Matthew was written to Jews. His objective was to prove that Jesus was the Messiah for whom they had been waiting, and to provide a better understanding of God’s Kingdom.
Matthew was a Jew himself. He understood Mosaic Law and was familiar with its rules/traditions/sacrifices. In chapter 9 verse 13 he challenged the Pharisees, who were criticizing him for keeping company with sinners, to search for a deeper understanding of the Old Testament words from Hosea 6:6.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Matthew 9:13).
God calls us to demonstrate faith in Him by showing love and mercy to others. True believers in Christ genuinely care for others, just as Christ did. This, not empty ritual, is what God desires for His children. This was hard for the Jews, who had been living under Mosiac Law for centuries, to fully understand and accept. Under the new covenant, relationship replaced ritual.
Today, I spent the day celebrating the life of my great aunt Veva Appel. After a visitation, funeral, graveside service, lunch and family pictures, the day was long and I was tired. But I left with a full heart. It was so fun to see cousins I hadn’t seen in many years and share stories of the crazy summer vacations we spent on Long Lake as kids.
I am part of the Appel family through my grandma Evelyn Doris Appel York. But more importantly, our extended family is bound together by our faith in Jesus. As I listened to the stories of Veva’s life, I left knowing she spent it showing love and care for others – the same mercy Jesus talked about in Matthew 9:13. I am confident she was welcomed in to the arms of Jesus last Sunday with these words:
Well done my good and faithful servant.