Jesus Came for the Sick
Have you ever been on a road trip where everything seemed perfect? You've got your favorite snacks, an awesome playlist, and your best friends by your side. The destination is exciting, and the journey promises to be unforgettable. But then, something unexpected happens – your friend starts picking up hitchhikers.
At first, it's just one person. They look a bit rough around the edges, smell funny, and don't quite fit in with your group. You're uncomfortable, but you try to be understanding. Then another joins, and another. Suddenly, your perfect road trip has turned into something entirely different. The car is crowded with strangers, and you're no longer sure where you're headed.
This scenario might sound far-fetched, but it's not unlike the journey we see unfolding in the Gospel of Mark. As we dive into Mark 2:13-17, we encounter Jesus on His own "road trip" of sorts, and His choice of traveling companions is raising more than a few eyebrows.
The passage tells us that Jesus, while teaching by the sea, saw Levi (also known as Matthew) sitting at a tax collector's booth. Without hesitation, Jesus invited him to "Follow me." Levi immediately got up and followed Him. Later, we find Jesus dining at Levi's house, surrounded by tax collectors and "sinners" – the very people religious society deemed unworthy and unclean.
The religious leaders of the day, the scribes and Pharisees, were appalled. "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" they asked. Jesus' response cuts to the heart of His mission: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
This story challenges us to consider three profound truths:
1. We are all spiritually sick.
It's easy to look at others and see their flaws, their "sickness." We might think, "At least I'm not like that tax collector or that sinner." But the truth is, we're all in the same boat. The Bible clearly states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Our spiritual sickness might manifest differently – as pride, anger, lust, or greed – but we're all infected.
The question is: do we recognize our own spiritual illness? Are we like the Pharisee who thanks God he's not like "those sinners," or are we like the tax collector who humbly pleads, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner" (Luke 18:9-14)?
2. Jesus is the Great Physician.
The good news is that we have a Healer. Jesus didn't come for those who think they have it all together. He came for those who know they're broken, who realize they're spiritually bankrupt. As He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).
Jesus is not just any doctor; He's the best there is. He can heal what's broken inside us, both the visible wounds and the hidden scars. But here's the catch – we have to admit we need healing. We have to expose our brokenness to Him and humbly ask for help.
Imagine a tribe suffering from a curable illness, but they refuse to admit they're sick. A doctor trains for years, learns their language, and travels across the world to help them. But when he arrives, they insist they're fine. How frustrating and heartbreaking that would be! Yet, isn't that often how we treat Jesus? He came to earth, lived among us, and offered healing, but too often, we insist we're fine on our own.
3. We need to follow Jesus' example.
Jesus didn't quarantine Himself from the spiritually sick. He didn't hide away, surrounding Himself only with the "clean" and the righteous. Instead, He intentionally sought out those who were broken, those living in darkness. He was criticized for it, but He knew His mission.
As followers of Christ, we're called to do the same. We are the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:14), but that light does little good if we only shine it in already bright places. We need to venture into the darkness, into the brokenness of our world, and let our light shine there.
Who are the "hitchhikers" Jesus is calling you to invite into your journey? Who are the people in your life that might be a little "spiritually sketchy," but Jesus is nudging you to reach out to? It might be uncomfortable. You might face criticism. But this is how we change the world – by following Jesus' example and being present in the brokenness around us.
As we reflect, let's consider our next steps:
1. If you've drifted into spiritual pride, take time to pray Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, God, and know my heart... See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
2. If you've become too comfortable in your Christian bubble, ask God to show you who He's calling you to reach out to. Who can you invite over, invest in, or pray for?
3. If you're realizing your own spiritual sickness and need for a Savior, know that Jesus is calling you. Just as He called Levi, He's saying to you, "Follow me." He sees your pain, your brokenness, and He loves you. He died to take the punishment for your sins and rose again, conquering death. If you're ready to leave your old life behind and follow Him, simply pray, asking God to forgive you and inviting Jesus to be the Lord of your life.
We're all spiritually sick, but we have a Great Physician in Jesus. Let's follow His example, invite some unexpected travelers on our journey, and watch as He transforms lives – including our own.