I DESIRE MERCY, NOT SACRIFICE

Matthew 12:1-21
Key Verse: 12:7

    "If you had known what these words mean, `I desire mercy, not
     sacrifice,'  you would not have condemned the innocent."


1.  Read verses 1-2. What did Jesus' disciples do one day when they
    were hungry? According to the Pharisees, why was this unlawful?

2.  Read verses 3-8. How did Jesus defend his disciples? Why did he
    talk about the David incident? How did the priests desecrate the
    Sabbath? What does Jesus teach about God's heart? What does it
    mean? What did Jesus teach about himself?

3.  Read verses 9-10. Who was in the synagogue? Put yourself in the
    place of the man with the shriveled hand. What was the attitude of
    the Pharisees toward this man? Toward Jesus?

4.  Read verses 11-14. What did Jesus teach about the mercy of God in
    answer to the Pharisees  legalism? What did he do? What was the
    result?  How does this man show his faith? Why did the Pharisees
    want to kill Jesus?

5.  Read verses 15-21. What did Jesus do after withdrawing? How did his
    actions fulfill Isaiah's prophecy? What does  a bruised reed  and
    a smoldering wick  mean? What great hope can we find in verses
    18-21?