Matthew 12:1-21, Teachings of Jesus
Mercy not sacrifice. Jesus told the Pharisees not too long before (chapter 9) to go and find what that means. Now, he is admonishing them for not figuring it out.
Mercy is the sacrifice. To extend mercy, to forgive the unrepentant means to give up the right to angry and the right be hurt. It is giving up the right to hold a grudge.
Showing mercy is sacrificing one’s self, not because they deserve it, but because Jesus did it for you. Because this is what the reconciliation, the transformation, of the world looks like: the place where all experience mercy and forgiveness because all extend mercy and forgiveness.
Journey Through Scripture 