“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”        Matthew 9:13 NIV

Why? Why would Christ spend His time with people who are so impure and dirty with sin? Christ answers this in today’s verse. This statement is simple, yet profound. As we study Christ’s methods of teaching, this is where we learn whom Christ teaches. Though we might expect Christ to spend His time with religious people, this is not the precedent He set. Christ came into the world to call sinners. Christ called tax collectors and sinners to be His disciples because it is they who are sick. He is a spiritual physician. Why spend time with the healthy or those who perceive they are healthy? Christ calls sinners because they need a physician. Christ came to heal the sick. If Christ came to the world to save sinners, this is who we ought to focus on. Christ wants to heal those who are spiritually infirmed. Yet, on whom do we mostly spend our gospel-sharing efforts? Consider a list of friends we have made. How many of those people do we consider to be good, moral, and maybe even religious people? Are churches hotels for saints, or hospitals for sinners? Imagine what would happen if all hospitals declared they would no longer take sick people, but only healthy people. Nobody would come. We need to learn from Jesus. This is not to say religious people do not need to hear about Jesus. When we focus only on moral people, we forget Christ came to save sinners.

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us that You came to save sinners.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder that You came to save sinners. Give us the opportunity to share You with those You would go to, as we have read in the Gospels. AMEN

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 6:25-34

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