MikeZook.com

What if you spent one year following every rule in the Bible?

Here is an article about a guy, A.J. Jacobs, who followed the Bible as literally as he could for a year and then wrote a book about it.

Open Forum - Matthew 9:13

Brenda and I are reading through the Gospels. She shared with me these words of Jesus in Matthew chapter nine verses twelve and thirteen:

"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 sinners."

Jesus is responding to the Pharisees (religious rulers of the day) who questioned his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors (Matthew) and 'sinners'?" (v.11)

Instead of expounding on what Jesus is saying (although I have my own thoughts - shocking I'm sure!??) I want to journey through this with you. So before I make any comments on this I want to hear your thoughts on this verse. Here's some questions to get you started but feel free to write what you want - open forum.

What does Jesus mean when he says "I desire mercy, not sacrifice?" If you are a Christian, do you live this way? If you are not a Christian, what does this mean to you? What does "mercy" mean in this verse? What does "sacrifice" mean in this verse? Do Christians live in Mercy or Sacrifice? Etc.

SIDE NOTE: I know some of you have been reading and not commenting and I have a name for that -"Peeping Blogger!" If you want to remain in this camp, that's fine - no problem - no pressure! But if you want to participate in a series of posts that I am going to be doing on different passages of scripture that have some paradox, mystery and tension in them I would love to hear from you (or any other post for that matter)!

For those of you that are new to posting a comment on blogs it's really easy.....

1. Click on the word "comment" (it is below the post you want to comment on - sometimes the post has already expanded and you don't have to do this - you're already there).
2. Type in your name (you do have a name don't you?!? Heck! Make up a name if you want)
3. Type in your e-mail address (if you don't have one...why are you on a computer?)
4. URL is optional (Not all have their own blog or website and are as cool as me!)
5. Type in your comments (I know you have them! Share them!)
6. Then click post - Your done! (I even removed the secret code word that some make you type just to make it easier for you)

For those that know how to do this, you're all ready to go! 

Anyway, I hope to hear back from you. Because you know me, I'm dying to tell you what I think! :-)