Not the healthy, but the sick

Not the healthy, but the sick

Scripture:

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:9-13

Observation:

In this passage, which was very personal to the author Matthew, he tells us how the Lord first called him, where he was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. The Lord said “Follow me”, and Matthew just got up and followed him. It was the same with the fishermen, and now with Matthew. They heard the calling and answered it, following Jesus. They didn’t know where Jesus would lead them, or what they would have to do, but they just trusted in Jesus.

Later, Jesus went to Matthew’s house to have dinner with him, and there were many tax collectors and sinners among them. The indignant Pharisees were quick to condemn Jesus asking his disciples how his master could eat with tax collectors and sinners. Tax collectors were considered as traitors by the Jewish people, and they had a habit of enriching themselves by collecting more than they should from the people, causing general society to disdain them utterly.

The Lord’s divine reply holds a deep lesson for all of us. It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. God desires mercy, not sacrifice. He came not to call the “righteous” but sinners. Human nature is such that we tend to easily condemn others. However, the truth is that we are all sinners alike, regardless of degree. Jesus came to save even the worst of sinners, and only those who are humble and recognize their need for salvation from sin can be saved by Him.

Application:

Recognize that God came to save everyone, even the worst sinners, even the pariahs of society. His arms are open to all, and we too, need to learn to open our arms to others, regardless of race or religion, regardless of status in society. All need His salvation. All need the Lord. God desires mercy, not sacrifice. We need to check our hearts, the root of all we do. Do we just do deeds out of rote and obligation. The Lord wants us to serve Him from our hearts. When we serve others, pray for God to let us serve from our heart, from the compassion only He can give us. 

Prayer:

Thank You, Heavenly Lord Jesus, that You came to seek and save the lost, even the worst of us, even those whom no one else cares about. Thank You for Your great compassion O Lord. Teach us to be like You, to have a heart of true mercy, looking to seek and save the lost. Forgive our lack of compassion and imperviousness to those around us. Give us hope and peace O Lord, we pray. In Jesus name, Amen.