Have you read your newsfeed today? Truth has stumbled in the public square again. Right is called wrong, and wrong is called right. We live in a crazy, confused, dark world. Know why? The world is populated by desperately sick people. That’s why Jesus came.

Luke 5:31-32
And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

During Jesus’ time, everyone despised taxes. Some things never change. But there was one thing the Jews hated more than taxes—tax collectors. Tax collectors were Jews who worked for the Roman government. They were traitors enforcing heavy taxation and helping themselves to the “cookie jar.” So, when Jesus called a tax collector to follow him…and the tax collector “got up, left everything and followed him,” …then threw a big party at his house attended by his tax collector friends…the Pharisees could not believe what they were seeing. The fact that Jesus would mix and mingle with the most despicable was more than the religious leaders could handle. They confronted Jesus: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Luke 5:30). Jesus’ response is found in today’s passage.

The light shines brightest in the darkest places. The Light entered the darkness to reveal his person and reveal the way to God. Jesus came as a physician who rushed onto the scene of a tragic event where people were injured and dying. He came to find those who admitted they had the incurable disease of sin. The Great Physician came to heal our souls.

If you truly believe that your self-prescribed spiritual treatment makes you well, then, like the Pharisees, you don’t think you have a need for Jesus. Please, don’t keep believing that dark lie until it’s too late.

Father, show us our need for a Savior. For the person today believing like the Pharisees of old, open their eyes to see their sickness. Then come to them with the cure of your Son who died for their sins on the cross. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.