I once read about a pastor who hung a sign above the entrance of his church. It simply read “For Sinners Only.” I have always liked that little anecdote because the pastor’s intention was to remind his congregation that no one is perfect and that everyone needs God’s forgiveness.
The Bible teaches this truth when Jesus transforms the life of a tax collector named Levi (Luke 5:27-32). When Levi becomes a follower of Christ, he throws a party for Jesus to which he invites all of his tax collector friends and a number of others, too. Unfortunately some self-righteous religious people also show up at the party, the scribes and Pharisees. These religious people despise the friends of Levi, dismissing them as “sinners” and are especially upset that Jesus and His disciples are associating with such “lowly” people.
Jesus addresses their complaint by stating, “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 (Luke 5:31-32).”
If we are willing to admit it, Jesus’ answer cuts through the layers of our own self-righteousness. Our tendency is to place ourselves alongside others and to feel good about how we are doing in comparison. Because we are “religious people” or because we are “good people,” we may err in thinking we are somehow “better” than others.
But Jesus’ statement rebukes us of our self-righteousness. It’s a bit like a Steve Brown quote I read years ago that I wrote on the inside cover of my Bible as a reminder: “You wouldn’t be so shocked by your own sin if you didn’t have such a high opinion of yourself.” To paraphrase Jesus: We are all sick and in need of a doctor.
A physician cannot help a person who thinks he is well. All the MRIs and CT scans may indicate otherwise, but if a person thinks he is well, the doctor is of no use. Similarly, Jesus cannot help a person who is unwilling to admit his need. The Bible is very frank with us: “There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10).” We are all sinners and equally in need of a Savior.
We are all sick and in need of a doctor.
Historically, great hymn-writers have acknowledged this truth through words revealing their own sense of unworthiness. Isaac Watts, for example, revealed his bewilderment that Jesus would die for his sins when he wrote:
Alas and did my Savior bleed,
And did my Sovereign die!
Would he devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?
John Newton also acknowledged his need of a doctor when he wrote the now famous line:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
God can help us when we admit we are sick and in need of a doctor. Trust the good physician, Jesus Christ, to treat your condition by calling on Him today.
What About You?
- Why do Christians often delight in comparing themselves to others?
- Is there a “Levi” that you know; someone with whom you can share the love of Christ today?
- If you are a Christian, consider taking a moment right now to thank Him for being your Good Physician.
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