The Great Physician Will See You Now

In Capernaum there was a tax collector named Levi, also known as Matthew. Tax collectors were despised, treated as traitors, banned from the Synagogues, and considered chief among sinners. Nevertheless, Jesus called Levi to follow Him. Like the fisherman who left their nets, Levi left his tax booth and immediately followed Jesus. He must have been excited about his new calling because he threw a feast to honor His Lord. Who did he invite? Other tax collectors. His home was now considered a den of sinners and Jesus was their honored Guest. The religious leaders were incensed that Jesus would eat with such loathsome scoundrels and He heard their scoffing. In Mark 2:17 is Jesus' response: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (ESV) The sad thing is the Pharisees were just as sick as Levi and his colleagues. Their disease was less obvious but terminal just the same. Don't let their spiritual malady be yours. By our Lord's stripes, you too can be healed. The Great Physician is in and He will see you now!