January 19
“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard that, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance,’” Matthew 9:9-13.
When was the last time that you went to visit a doctor? Generally, for most people, the last time was when they were sick. Normally, as long as we feel well, we see no reason to visit the doctor.
Jesus used this simple illustration to teach the Pharisees a lesson when they were criticizing Him for sitting at the table and eating with tax collectors who did not have a good reputation. Today, many of them do not have a good reputation either. In Jesus’ day, many of the tax collectors were Jews who were working for the Roman government. Many of them were dishonest. They collected more than the law required and they would pocket the excess for themselves.
The Pharisees were members of a strict religious sect whose religion basically amounted to man-made laws and regulations. In essence, they were a group of self-righteous people who condemned anyone who did not follow their man-made laws and regulations. As we say, they looked down their nose at most other people. They had a “better than thou” attitude.
Jesus saw Matthew, a tax collector, sitting at his collector’s booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” Immediately, Matthew arose and followed Jesus. Later, Matthew prepared a feast for Jesus and His disciples and other tax collectors.
The Pharisees did not have the courage to speak to Jesus directly. They approached the disciples who were with Jesus at the time and they criticized what Jesus was doing. Today, too, people often do not like what someone else is doing and they talk to everybody else, but not to the person who is sinning in their opinion. Gossipers and those who enjoy ruining people’s reputations are found in every walk of life. Of course, the Pharisees did not have to tell Jesus of their complaint. The all-knowing Son of God knew what was going on. Yes, Jesus knows how we feel about everything and how we feel about others.
Jesus told the self-righteous Pharisees, “Those who are well have no need of a physician.” They felt that they did not need the merciful Jesus. As was their usual practice, they rejected Jesus, the Friend of sinners. Jesus did not come to call the self-righteous, but sinners to repentance. When we see our many sins and humbly repent of them, Jesus stands with open arms to receive and forgive us. He paid the price for all our sins and washed them away. In the Gospel, we hear Him say, “Son, daughter, your sins are all forgiven! Go in peace!”
Jesus sinners doth receive; Oh, may all this saying ponder,
Who in sin’s delusions live, And from God and heaven wander!
Here is hope for all who grieve — Jesus sinners doth receive.
I, a sinner, come to Thee, With a penitent confession;
Savior, mercy show to me, Grant for all my sins remission.
Let these words my soul relieve — Jesus sinners doth receive. Amen.