“Jesus answered them, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” NLT
Jesus’ wisdom has always astounded me. In this case, Jesus was having a meal with the area’s “biggest sinners”; the tax collectors and others that the religious leaders considered “scum”. When He was called out for spending time with these people, the quoted scripture above was His response.
As Christians, this should always be our response. We are not called to spend all of our time with just believers. Jesus didn’t copy their behavior, but He sat down among all people. He dined with them, which helped build community and relationships.
It’s so easy to cast judgment on those who behave differently from us and we want to completely separate ourselves from those who live in sin. How can others ever know the Christ we serve if we never show them the love of God?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for loving me, even though I struggle to show Your love to others. Help me to be the ‘doctor’ who goes out to those who are sick and can only find life in You. Amen.
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