Desiring a Flexible Heart

Written By Patrick Jordan

Matthew 12:6-8 MSG “There is far more at stake here than religion. If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—’I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual;—you wouldn’t be nitpicking like this. The Son of Man is no yes-man to the Sabbath; he’s in charge.”

Jesus, after going through a wheat field with his disciples and the disciples pulling off heads of grain and eating a bit, was confronted by some Pharisees who wanted to point out that his disciples were breaking the Sabbath rules. Like, Jesus, get your crew in line! The Sabbath was an inflexible ritual. It’s like the Pharisees were like, ah woo woo, you’re in trouble, you’re going to get it now!

Jesus then points out that priests did their duties on the Sabbath, and they’ve never been smited, and that David and his companions were hungry and went in and ate sacrificial bread off the altar, and nothing happened to them. God is merciful.

Jesus is quoting Hosea 6:6 that states that God desires mercy (a flexible heart is merciful) and not sacrifice

Hosea 6:6 GNT I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifices. I would rather have my people know me than burn offerings to me.

Hosea 6:6 NLT I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

The Pharisees had an inflexible heart and stuck to the letter of the law.

Think about all the things we’re inflexible on each day when we’re religious. for instance going to church on Sundays and thinking I’m better than homosexuals who are just living in sin, when any homosexual person I’ve met acts more like Jesus than fervent Christians.

Patrick Jordan

Patrick is the lead guitar instructor and songwriting instructor at Rosendale’s 88 Keys Academy.

Originally from Lexington, South Carolina, Patrick has lived in several places including Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, California. Patrick now resides in Woodland, California with his family.

Patrick first began his journey with guitar when he was 10 years old, and has now been playing guitar and writing songs for 26 years. Patrick originally taught himself guitar. Patrick has performed his original music throughout the years for churches, audiences at Potbelly restaurants in Washington, DC, Sony Music talent agents, busking at the Santa Monica Pier, touring in the Los Angeles region, and throughout a musician residency with the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Patrick was also a Worship Pastor while living in Los Angeles.

Patrick began teaching music and guitar after graduating from Clemson University with a BA in Production Studies in Performing Arts. Patrick created his own guitar teaching business, was a music teacher for an alternative school, and taught music, guitar, acting, and film production at a performing arts center in Lexington, South Carolina. Patrick is also a School Outreach Educator for the Woodland Opera House and teaches Musical Theatre.

Patrick teaches guitar and songwriting for all levels, starting at age 7, exclusively at Rosendale’s 88 Keys Academy in Woodland, California. Patrick teaches lessons on Tuesday, and Thursday, as well as Music Circle on Friday evenings.

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