THE PERFECT

King David wrote in Psalm 51: “For you do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, God, you will not despise.” (vs.14-17; see Psalms 51:1-13)

From Psalm 51: If David could have produced a right sacrifice… he would have. If we could… we would.

Hosea, a prophet, wrote: “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6)

Jesus said, ‘I desire compassion… not sacrifice…” (Matthew 9:13 quoting Hosea 6:6)

The desire for ‘loyalty’ and ‘compassion’ is because the Hebrews had made a perfect animal sacrifice to replace a perfect heart… God only demands a perfect heart… No works, no religion, no methods… no tacos, no beads, no baloney. Jesus came to show us a perfect heart as much as a perfect sacrifice. “A broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart”… those we must learn to want.

“Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Jesus