“And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13 ESV
Truth: Jesus came to call sinners…
Sin is a sickness, and those who aimlessly live in it need the great physician. In truth, we all need the great physician. He didn’t come to call the righteous because there were none righteous….no not one.
as it is written, “None is righteous, no, not one; (Romans 3:10)
We all carry a degree of sickness within us – unless you’re a perfect man, or woman. He calls everyone to repent. If you’re alive, there are still belief systems, seeds planted even from your youth, that don’t belong. And wrong ways of thinking manifest throughout our walk as sin. The Christian life is a life of continuous repentance and trusting in Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. We haven’t been finished yet, but he will finish the work he has started. And he is rich in mercy, the verse today declares his desire for mercy, not sacrifice. May we live in God’s mercy as we continue our journey of repentance and sanctification with him by him. He is the great physician.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31
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And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6