Those Who Are Sick

 It is remarkable how the earthly ministry of Jesus was so often directed at social outsiders. One significant example of this is the calling of Levi (also called Matthew). “Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he left all, rose up, and followed Him” (Luke 5:27-28). 


Levi was clearly appreciative of this calling. Not only does he immediately leave his station and work, but he invites a great many other tax collectors and social outcasts to join Jesus and His disciples for a great feast in his own home (29). The reaction of the religious leaders is one of shock and disgust. How could these self-proclaiming religious people entertain the company of such lowly sinners?


Jesus’ reply must have mystified the Pharisees. “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” (31-32). 


The great irony of this statement is that even the Pharisees were in desperate need of the Great Physician! The difference between them and the tax collectors was that men like Levi were humble enough to recognize their need. 


I wonder how Levi would have felt at these statements from the religious leaders. He had just walked away from his livelihood to become a religious person himself! He had even thrown this great feast in his own house to honor Jesus and His disciples. He had left all behind in order to follow Jesus who had called him. 


Let us be careful in our treatment of all types of people, that we manifest the attitude of Christ and not of these Pharisees!


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