Mercy or Religious Duty

What is more important, mercy or religious duty? The only New Testament command for rest is when Jesus encouraged people to come to him for rest (Matthew 11:28-12:8). His hungry disciples plucked some grain, violating the letter of Sabbath commands regarding gathering food like manna. Jesus quoted an Old Testament principle — God desires mercy and not sacrifice. He called himself Lord over the Sabbath — meaning he had the authority to decide what was lawful on that day. As the author of the law, it is his interpretation of it that counts. Man-made religious restrictions often contradict God. The central doctrines of Christianity are not our man-made traditions or fads, but the teachings of Christ. The question as to which is more important, mercy or religious duty is a false dichotomy. Mercy is an important religious duty.

Miracle of Forgiveness

Some Christians want the buzz of miracles and signs and wonders. They look to hyperbolic statements such as those found in Luke 17:1-10 where Jesus describes how little faith it takes to move a tree. However, they don’t look at the context in which those statements are made. A form of naive and immature Christianity makes outward signs and visible miracles a measure of faith. Real faith is not in observable things but in things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is so easy to forget warnings about an evil and adulterous generation that seeks after a sign (Matthew 12:39). The comment about faith to move a tree comes right after Jesus’ challenge to forgive seven times a day. Forgiving others is hard. It is not natural. A real miracle that requires uprooting is unforgiveness in our hearts.