Mark 2:16-17 ” 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?’ On hearing this, 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.’ “

The social & religious gap between the sanctimoniously elite, “the righteous” and the general population, “the sinners” was wide & long. The Pharisees here wouldn’t even come into the home where Jesus was eating…regarding table fellowship with sinners especially defiling. But it quickly became clear the declaration of His mission…a mission of repentance & eternal Salvation. And as the Great Physician, Jesus intentionally sought out the sick, both physically & spiritually…healing them mind, body, & soul. We see this throughout the New Testament…Jesus hung out with sinners…not because He wanted to appear politically correct, inclusive, or tolerant, but in order to call them to a changed and fruitful life. Thus the focus of His mission always was transformation…not affirmation of sin.

Author: kezha1

A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ. View all posts by kezha1