From the Word:  Sacrifice without compassion (from Matthew 9:9-17)
”But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righeous, but sinners.”  (Matthew 9:13 NASB)

This reminds me of Psalm 51:16-17, Lord.  Sacrifice without compassion is meaningless, or should I say accomplishes no purpose - and the purpose in Psalm 51 is to please You (”For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering…”).  Compassion is expressed by responding to the needs of others, and will sometimes (probably often) require a setting aside of personal interests, a sacrifice of the personal sort.  But sacrifice simply to fulfill a ritual requirement and to check off the box often fails to truly meet needs, much less be a pleasing offering to You.  There are so many needs in the world; what is compassion for me?  What should it look like? 

A foregoing of personal ambitions and goals is what I need, to set aside my agenda in order to meet the needs of others. How much is involved here, Lord?   What are the implications for me?  In this case, for You, it was simply You enjoying the company of “tax collectors and sinners” (v11).  O Lord, You called me when I was a sinner; may I respond to Your lead and be willing - and know how - to engage with those who don’t yet know You.  I need You to help me do this, Lord. Amen. 

Please pray with us:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost 16 million students will be enrolled in college this fall.  And we have three in that number.  In the next two weeks we will see our three oldest off to college, from Massachusetts to Georgia to England.  I am thankful that on just about every college campus here in the U.S. there is a dedicated Christ-focused ministry to students.  Please pray with us for our children, and for the ministries at the colleges across the nation, that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts and minds, and that this chapter of their lives will be one that draws them closer to Jesus despite the temptations, new freedoms and secular ideology that they will experience.  Thanks.

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