Mark 2:17

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 It is that time of year, filled with snotty noses, coughing fits, and headaches. Sickness seems to go with the changing of the seasons, unfortunately. A result of the fallen world.

However, in the verse today, Jesus is not referring to a physical illness, but a spiritual one. Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees when they find him sitting with tax collectors and sinners. Tax collectors were abhorred for their work, and sinners were not welcome among the self-righteous Jews. But Jesus, with his divine wisdom, reminds them that he came to heal those who are sick, not the righteous. The Pharisees did not know that they were sick too. They needed Jesus like the sinners and tax collectors.

I’ve read this verse multiple times, often passing over it because I felt it no longer applies to me because I am a believer in Christ. But the reality is, I still need Jesus! Although I am free from sin, I still sin against God. But he heals my heart through Christ. He will always be my physician, to whom I look for saving grace. When you are convicted of sin, look to Christ for healing and eternal salvation. Like the Hebrews looking towards the bronze serpent, so shall we look to Christ to save us. This does not mean you lose your salvation and must find it again. Rather, you continue to look to Christ in moments of sin and affliction to remind you of his saving grace.

Have you heard the phrase, “Lay it at the feet of Jesus?” It is a common Christian phrase, but I am uncertain people understand how to do it. When we sin, we are called to repent and turn to Christ. For we cannot heal ourselves, but we are allowing the heavenly doctor to mend our broken heart and soul. Therefore, we lay our sins before our Savior for him to vanquish.

As we near the end of the Seek First Project, my prayer for you is that God has focused your heart to look heavenly towards the Savior of the world. May the God of every grace give you comfort and peace as you walk closely with him.

-Pastor Brett