How do we know that God's mercy is greater than our sacrifices?

The principle that 'I will have mercy and not sacrifice' (Matthew 9:13) reveals that God values the internal disposition of the heart more than external acts of righteousness. In various instances, Jesus rebuked those who outwardly conformed to religious practices while neglecting the deeper, weightier matters of the law such as mercy, faith, and righteousness (Matthew 23:23). This perspective challenges modern believers to reconsider the motives behind their actions and the nature of their devotion to God, emphasizing that genuine faith results in a humble acceptance of God's mercy rather than self-promotional acts of piety. Hence, the real worship that pleases God emerges from a relationship grounded in mercy, not mere ritual adherence.