The appeal Jesus makes to the text from the book of the prophet Hosea – “I desire love and not sacrifice” (6:6) – is important in this regard. Jesus affirms that, from that time onward, the rule of life for his disciples must place mercy at the centre, as Jesus himself demonstrated by sharing meals with sinners.
Rejea anayofanya Yesu kwenye kitabu cha Hosea – “nataka rehema, wala si sadaka” (6:6) – ni ya maana sana kuhusiana na hili. Yesu anatoa tamko kuwa, kuanzia sasa na kuendelea, maisha ya wafuasi wake yatatakiwa kuweka rehema katika nafasi ya kwanza, kama yeye mwenyewe anavyoshuhudia kwa kula pamoja na wadhambi.