June 4 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Embedded in our text we find the words: “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick.” Those words strike a familiar chord with us, especially if we have had many appointments with doctors and specialists. You do not make an appointment with a doctor to prove how healthy you are. A receptionist would be rather perplexed if you walked into a clinic and said, “I need to see the doctor because I am very healthy.” Jesus uses this analogy to highlight the purpose of His ministry. He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. He came for those in need of the Great Physician.

Jesus has been busy working in the area of Capernaum. The citizens sense that He is different from the teachers of the law because He speaks with authority. He has the power to heal the sick and to cast out demons. Christ’s words and works have not escaped the notice of a man sitting at the tax-office in Capernaum. Levi, known in the other gospels by the name Matthew, has been following events closely so that he listens to the call of the Lord Jesus and follows Him without reservation. The challenge comes from Israel’s leaders! They cannot figure out why Jesus invites a tax collector to join His company. They put tax collectors in the same category as unclean animals, robbers and murderers and barred them from entering the synagogue.

The scribes and Pharisees do not confront Jesus directly but attack His disciples, asking, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus overhears the conversation and gives a very simple and straightforward response, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” A doctor who diagnoses a disease but has no desire to find a cure or to provide healing isn’t worth his salt. Jesus gives healing by announcing to sinners that He, as the Great Physician, will heal them of their sins through His redeeming work.

It is necessary for us to realize that we, with all humanity, are in need of the Doctor! Without the Great Physician we will die eternally. Such knowledge helps us have a humble attitude toward others. Instead of keeping our distance we are to show compassion and mercy, directing each other to Christ, our only hope.