I Will Have Mercy, and Not Sacrifice

God's priority is mercy over ritual display.

Jesus cites Hosea to confront hard-hearted religiosity and to defend mercy as God's intent.

Scripture

Matthew 9:13

13 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 12:7

7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.