In Matthew 9:13, Jesus states, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ quoting Hosea 6:6. He is speaking to the Pharisees who are questioning why Jesus is associating and eating with tax-collectors and “sinners.” He quotes Hosea again when His disciples pick grain on the Sabbath in Matthew 12:7, inferring they are innocent of any wrong doing, despite the Pharisees’ protestations. But I want to focus on the Matthew passage very briefly. Jesus says, “Go and learn.” Think about that for a minute. “Go and learn” is far different than “Sit and ponder.” The active nature of the gospel and the life of faith is so evident in all the language of scripture. (James 2:17 is simply the 2×4 to the head to make sure we don’t miss the point by exclaiming “Faith without works is dead.”) Why were they to go and learn? Because in the going they would have to interact with people on the journey. They couldn’t sit and home and shut the doors to those who needed God’s grace. They would see people in need and, with Hosea’s words rattling around in their brains coupled with Jesus’ actions, they stood a chance of actually learning something. And the learning and the doing would become one.