Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17, NIV 1984).
My Musings – The “them” Jesus is talking to were the teachers of the law and the Pharisees (an elite religious party during Jesus’ time). A source, one would think, of spiritual comfort, guidance and healing. Especially for the downtrodden, who would be the most in need of these.
But what had they said that provoked this response from Jesus? “When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the ‘sinners’ and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?'” (Mark 2:15–16, NIV 1984). This was not mere curiosity, but indignation. Jesus should be avoiding and condemning them rather that socializing with them.
Naturally, Jesus’ response was spot on. In fact it was the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees and teachers of them law that He condemned for neglecting their spiritual calling. Elsewhere in the Gospels, He was less than complimentary of them. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (Matthew 23:13, NIV 1984).
My Advice – We as Christians in the 21st century must take to heart Jesus’ teaching. “[He did] not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” They don’t need our condemnation, for they “[stand] condemned already.” (Galatians 1:9, NIV 1984).
“As surely as I live,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!” (Ezekiel 33:11, NIV 1984). Let’s not “shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.” “Let’s tend to the “sick,” the “wicked,” the “evil.” The world needs spiritual physicians, not hypocritical Pharisees. Let’s “take pleasure” in leading them to spiritual healing.
The Brew Is A Musing 