Mercy Not Sacrifice

By Max Lucado

"But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matthew 9:13

"Lord," I said, "I want to be your man, not my own.
So to you I give my money, my car - even my home."

Then, smug and content, I relaxed with a smile and whispered to God,
"I bet it's been a while since anyone has given so much so freely?"
His answer surprised me.
He replied, "Not really."

"Not a day has gone by since the beginning of time,
That someone hasn't offered meager nickels and dimes,
Golden alters and crosses, contributions and penance,
Stone monuments and steeples; but why not repentance?

"The money, the statues the cathedrals you've built.
Do you really think I need your offerings of guilt?
What good is money that's meant only to salve
The hurting conscience that so many of you have?"

Your lips know no prayers.
Your eyes, no compassion,
But you will go to church (when churchgoing's in fashion)

"Just give me a tear - a heart that's ready to mold.
And I'll give you a mission, a message so bold -
That a fire will be stirred where there was only death
And your heart will be flamed by my life and my breath."

I stuck my hands in my pockets and kicked at the dirt.
It's tough to be corrected (I guess my feelings were hurt)
But it was worth the struggle to realize the thought
That the cross isn't for sale
and Christ's blood can't be bought.


Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Micah 6:6-8