Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. For I came not to call and invite [to repentance] the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin). [Hos_6:6]

(Matthew 9:13 AMPC)

Jesus came to help erring ones and those not free from sin. When we look at sin only from the legal standpoint we miss the fact it is not something we get away with but something that enslaves us.

Jesus answered them, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, whoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin.”

(John 8:34 AMPC)

Sin is not just wrong, it is foolish. Jesus taught that following his teaching was not simply about being good vs. being bad but rather that following his words was meant to help one’s life be built on a healthy stable foundation. He told a parable to help people understand this truth.

So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand. And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell--and great and complete was the fall of it.

(Matthew 7:24-27 AMPC)

Jesus showed mercy to those who were labeled sinners but warned them of the consequences of their sin. His ultimate goal was not to bring shame, blame and guilt but rather to restore people to wholeness and free them from slavery to sin. A prime example of this is found in the story of the woman caught in adultery. The Pharisee’s tried to trap Jesus by asking Him what He thought they should do with this woman.

Adulterous Woman (3:16)