Matthew 9:9-13 (KJV)
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
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.
If a person thinks they are ok and don’t realise their actual state then they will not seek help. One can only repent if one realises one has sinned, knows it is wrong, want to change once ways and realises that one is totally helpless. This is where mercy comes in. If one is not shown mercy then repentance is useless as forgiveness is not available.
Thank GOD for His great mercies. “Romans 9:15 (KJV) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” And we can call on Him asking for mercy “Psalms 6:2 (NKJV) Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.”
Jesus came to call those to repentance who realise and know they have sinned. When we hear that call from Jesus Christ then it is time to respond as He will show mercy and not harden our hearts ignoring His call for repentance. Jesus was teaching the Religious that GOD desires mercy and not sacrifice. Go to those who are sick (sinners) spend time with them, have a meal with them and teach them the truth instead of sunning them by following religious rules. Defender’s Study Bible put it this way “Jesus here quoted Hos 6:6 as Scriptural authority. Animal sacrifices, which were prescribed by the law and thus necessary and appropriate, were meaningless unless accompanied by true obedience to the moral requirements of the law also, along with true repentance and faith in God’s mercy and forgiveness. Such characteristics of one who offers sacrifices would inevitably produce a merciful attitude in that person’s life. ” and Finis Dake points out “If your religion makes you exalted and self-righteous and you consider yourself to be defiled by associating with sinners, your sacrifices are in vain. ”
Jesus Christ has shown mercy to us therefore who are we to not show mercy to our neigbour? He has called us to follow Him, therefore let us imitate Christ and show mercy this those who realise that they are in need. “Matthew 5:7 (KJV) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” “Romans 4:8 (KJV) Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
NOTE: to discover more on mercy have a look at:

• Mercy and judgement – 2024.05.18 https://missioncommunities.network/2024/05/18/mercy-and-judgement-2024-05-18/
• Crying out for forgiveness – 2024.05.01 https://missioncommunities.network/2024/05/01/crying-out-for-forgiveness-2024-05-01/