I Desired Mercy and Not Sacrifice - Paul M. Williams

Matthew 12:1-8 Misguided zeal is a dangerous thing and nowhere perhaps is this zeal more deadly than when framed within a religious context.  There is no underestimating what man will do for God, and the devil knows this, which is why it is his vehicle of choice so commonly used to insight men to injure his neighbour. What saith our Lord? What is the end of all divine commandments?  "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Mt. 22:36-39).