Beloved, I’m happy to share with you today on the theme, “ It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” This passage is from Matthew 9.12-13. He thus responded to the Pharisees who saw him eating with people of bad life. Yet the call of Matthew as a disciple of the Lord and recounted by himself, was one of the souls for which Christ Jesus had come to earth.
Now the Jews hardly supported the yoke of the Romans who occupied their country; they deeply despised those of their own who accepted functions such as those of Matthew, tax collector. For they put them in the rank of sinners, people of bad life, and excluded them from their synagogues.
But God does not look more at faults than at the qualities of man to take care of him. For the Savior came to bring grace to all, because all without distinction were lost. This is why the Pharisees, who considered themselves superior to others, see the Lord Jesus at the table with the tax collectors and the sinners and take offense, to which the Lord says: ““It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”; for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners ”(Os 6.6).
This is a beautiful definition of the grace that has come in their midst in the person of the Lord Jesus, and who wants to have mercy on all, because God cannot accept any sacrifice offered by a man defiled by sin. Because as soon as a man recognizes that he is a sinner and lost, he can go to the Savior and receive forgiveness for his sins. But as long as he believes himself to be just and remains in his state of perdition, he cannot appreciate grace; thus he finds himself in opposition to the word of God which says: “There is no just man, not even one” (Romans 3:10).
This is why in the figures which the Lord uses, he shows that the grace brought by him is an entirely new thing which cannot be contained in the legal forms of Judaism, nor be suitable for the own justice of the Pharisees. Because “Nobody puts a piece of new cloth on an old coat”, or “We don’t put new wine in old bottles either; otherwise the bottles are broken, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles are lost; but we put the new wine in new bottles, and both keep. ” It is that the old wineskins, in which the liquids are stored, do not support the force of the fermentation of the new wine. This is where the example that the Lord takes to show that everything must be new under the regime of grace that he brought into this world comes from.
And the grace that disdains man’s claims to justice is now highlighted. This is also why Matthew the tax collector is called, because God looks to the heart, and grace calls the vessels of election.
This is why the Lord Jesus announces the thought of God in this regard and his own mission, affirming that he came to call sinners; because he wants mercy. Rather, it was God in grace, not man, with his alleged justice, and counting on his merits.
Precisely, the Lord Jesus gives two reasons which make it impossible to reconcile his walk with the requirements of the Pharisees. Indeed, how could the disciples fast when the husband was there? because when the Messiah is gone, they will have the opportunity. Besides, it is impossible to introduce the new principles and the new power of its mission into the old prevalent Pharisee forms.
So we see grace toward sinners, but rejected by the Pharisees. And that is greater proof that the Messiah was there and that he was there in grace. He came to wake up dead Israel; he will do so later in all of his power.
Furthermore, if in the midst of the crowd accompanying Christ, someone seized him by faith, he was immediately healed, however desperate his state of health was. And this fact, happened in Israel, when Jesus was there, remains true, deep down, and for us too today. Grace in Jesus is a resurrected and healing power.
So he opened his eyes in Israel to those who recognized him as the Son of David and believed in his power to meet their need. Likewise, he also cast out demons and gave voice to the dumb. For the effect of the presence of the Lord on the heads of the people, jealous of his glory, was manifested among those over whom they exerted their influence. And that in no way interrupted the Lord Jesus in his charitable career. He could still bear witness among the people. And despite the Pharisees, his patient kindness still finds practice.
That’s why He kept preaching and healing because He had compassion for the people who were like sheep who have no shepherd and morally left to fend for themselves. Thus, he still sees that the harvest is great and that there are few workers. That is to say, he still sees all the doors open to address the people; and he passes over the wickedness of the Pharisees. So, as long as God gives him access to the people, the Lord Jesus continues his work of love.
For there was enough power in him to heal “all sickness and all infirmity”. And there was enough love in his heart to carry all his people like the true Shepherd of Israel. Alas! If he encountered faith here or there, especially among the two blind men who followed him, he also encountered the most terrible disbelief.
We who cross the same world and share the same needs, but with hearts often so sadly insensitive (Jac 2.14-26), ask the Lord Jesus to give us a broader and more distinct view of his great harvest (John 4.31-38 ). And beg him to bring in new workers.
The verses below have been compiled for your edification on this topic of the day, and grouped together to facilitate understanding.
- Rejected are accepted:
Lepers: Matt 8.3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
Tax collectors and prostitutes: Matt 21.31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”“The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. Luke 7.29 All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.
sinful women: Luke 7.47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”; Jn 8.11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
despised sinners: Luke 15.2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
The criminal on the cross Luke 23.43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The blind man driven out of the synagogue: John 9.35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
- divine condescension
Psa 113.6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
Ps 136.23 He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever.; Ps 138.6 Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.
Isa 57.15 For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Mat 9.11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Luke 1.48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
Jn 13.4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
Jn 20.20, 27 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.
- spiritual infirmity
Isa 1.5 Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted.
Jr 8.22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?
Jr 30.12 “This is what the LORD says: “ ‘Your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing.
Mk 2.17 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.”
- spiritual necessities
Dt 10.12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
Mi 6.8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Za 7.9 “This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.
Mt 19.17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
- The sacrifices are insufficient to bring salvation
1 Sam 15.22 Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”
Ps 51.18-19 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.;
Isa 1.11 “The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. ;
Hos 6.6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.;
Mt 9.13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”;
He 9.9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.
Let’s sum up what we find in this theme, that is, the grace developed in Israel. First, healing and forgiving grace, as in Psalms 103. Second, grace came to call sinners like Matthew the tax collector, not the righteous; indeed, the husband was there, and the grace in power could not be put in the Jewish and Pharisees wineskins; it was new even with regard to John the Baptist. For Christ actually comes to give life to the dead, not to heal, but whoever then touched him by faith was healed immediately. And like Son of David, he opens his eyes so that we may see, and he opens the mute mouth of him whom the devil held in his power. But everything is blasphemously rejected by the Pharisees, while grace sees the crowd as having no shepherd; and while the porter keeps the door open, he keeps looking for and rescuing the sheep. May each soul seek to become a vessel of election or honor for the Lord. It is the meaning of our prayers which accompany you all in your efforts towards this goal.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the theme“for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you”.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord Almighty.