Luke – Doors Wide Open!
In our way of life, a hospital is our last resort to fix whatever is wrong with us. Before going to the hospital, we try home remedies, suggested exercises to work out muscle or bone problems or we try to just relax. Before going to a doctor we do the same thing. In my home, we dread going to the doctor. We try everything else before going. We ask others if they have had similar problems and what they did to get well. And we try those methods. But there are times when we must go when all other efforts do not bring relief.
Great doctors will take a look at the whole person and then work to pinpoint the exact problem. Good doctors will probe, asking what you do in life in order to understand what led to your problems now. Caring doctors will bring all test results with the information taken from you together and diagnose the problem. Sick people, who cannot fix their own problems, for whatever reasons, need a doctor who knows exactly what they need to be well.
Luke 5, NLT
Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew)
27 Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. 28 So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.
29 Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. 30 But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”
31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
This is more than just the calling of Matthew, a detested community tax collector. Jesus’ critics are appalled at WHO He is inviting into fellowship with Him. As I read this passage a few times, I am struck by who Jesus diagnoses as “sick”. The lost, those who don’t know Him and have never known Him, are deemed sick and need the Great Physician to save them from death’s door. They lost seem more ready to hear and follow Jesus.
The restored to health people are those who know and follow Him. It seems the health of the scribes and Pharisees are at risk and could use a shot in the arm with spiritual medicine to realize Who Jesus is, as the Messiah. The Messiah, whom they have read about, written about and waited for is right before their blinded eyes. But they don’t see Him as God’s Son. They only see themselves.
It appears that those who think they are RIGHTeous and well, are in as much need of the Physician as those who know they are sick and need saving. Mm, if you think you are completely and perfectly well, then you probably won’t go to the Doctor, not even for check ups. With Jesus, the door to salvation is wide open! Aren’t you glad He is for EVERYONE?
I don’t know where you are in your health, but I will be taking stock of where I am this morning. We all need check ups from time to time.
Do I judge others who I think are not as healthy as I am?
Do I look down on those struggling with the sickness of sin?
Do I think I am the only one who is “right”?
What am I doing to stay well in the eyes of the Lord?
Have I repented of all sin?
Have I given all of me to Him as a daily exercise? (See Romans 12)
Don’t let Jesus be your last resort but your first call! We could avoid many consequences of our sicknesses if we call on our Lord, first. Go to the Doctor!Dear Heavenly Father,
It is always amazing how you cause us to stop and think about our own life and how we are living it as we read and reflect on Your Word. Your Word, coupled with Your Holy Spirit, is like a mirror so we see what needs to be of greater health in our living. Continue to treat our sicknesses with your saving mercy and grace. Thank you for loving us the way your do.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 