Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 4; Luke 4-5; John 1:15-51.
After Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him (Luke 5:27), Levi held a reception for Him, inviting his fellow tax collectors and others. This drew the scrutiny of the Pharisees and the scribes.
“And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance’” (Luke 5:29-32).
There was a simple reason why Jesus associated with “tax collectors and sinners.” He was not encouraging or condoning sin, but as “a physician” He was trying to heal them of their sin sickness.
It is important to note, though, that when Jesus mentions “the righteous” and “sinners,” He is not describing the Pharisees and scribes as “righteous,” while the others are sinners. The Pharisees certainly saw themselves as being “not like other people” in regard to sin (Luke 18:11). Yet the Scriptures teach that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The fact is that the tax collectors were sinners in need of a Savior. The Pharisees were also sinners in need of a Savior. All men are sinners in need of a Savior. The Pharisees were blind to their condition and their need for the Great Physician’s care. Let us not demonstrate the same blindness. Instead let us believe Him and obey His word so that we can be made “freed from sin” (Romans 6:17-18).
Tomorrow’s reading: John 2-4
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
