Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

¹⁰  Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.

¹¹  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”

¹²  But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.

¹³  “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Matthew 9:9-13. 

Here are some quotes (not contiguous) from Calvin’s Commentary on these verses:

“In the choice of Matthew out of that place, not only to be admitted into the family of Christ, but even to be called to the office of Apostle, we have a striking instance of the grace of God.  It was the intention of Christ to choose simple and ignorant persons to that rank, in order to cast down the wisdom of the world, (1 Corinthians 2:6.)  But this publican, who followed an occupation little esteemed and involved in many abuses, was selected for additional reasons, that he might be an example of Christ’s undeserved goodness, and might show in his person that the calling of all of us depends, not on the merits of our own righteousness, but on his pure kindness. 

In the same manner Paul says:  This is a faithful saying, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief, (1 Timothy 1:15.)

Not they who are in health need a physician   It is evident from Christ’s reply that the scribes erred in two ways: they did not take into account the office of Christ; and, while they spared their own vices, they proudly despised all others.  This deserves our particular attention, for it is a disease which has been always very general. Hypocrites, being satisfied and intoxicated with a foolish confidence in their own righteousness, do not consider the purpose for which Christ was sent into the world, and do not acknowledge the depth of evils in which the human race is plunged, or the dreadful wrath and curse of God which lies on all, or the accumulated load of vices which weighs them down.

This quotation is made from Hosea 6:6:  For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice;  and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

The subject of the prophet’s discourse (BH – in Hosea) had been the vengeance of God against the Jews. That they might not excuse themselves by saying that they were performing the outward worship of God, (as they were wont to boast in a careless manner about their ceremonies,) he declares that God has no delight in sacrifices, when their minds are destitute of piety, and when their conduct is at variance with uprightness and righteousness. That the statement, I desired not sacrifice, must be understood comparatively, is evident from the second clause, that the knowledge of God is better than burnt-offerings   By these words he does not absolutely reject burnt-offerings, but places them in a rank inferior to piety and faith. We ought to hold, that faith and spiritual worship are in themselves pleasing to God, and that charity and the duties of humanity towards our neighbors are in themselves required; but that sacrifices are but appendages, so to speak, which are of no value or estimation, where substantial truth is not found.”

Here is the link to the full Commentary by Calvin on these verses – Click here: Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke – Volume 1 | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Bill’s Comments:

So, as we try to learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ we come across the following verses:

James 5:20
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

In Calvin’s Commentary to James 5:20, Calvin states:  “And shall hide a multitude of sins.  He makes an allusion to a saying of Solomon, rather than a quotation. (Proverbs 10:12.)  Solomon says that love covers sins, as hatred proclaims them.  For they who hate burn with the desire of mutual slander; but they who love are disposed to exercise mutual forbearance.”