Those who are sick.

Mark 2:16-17, And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 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.”

Jesus had just called Levi to follow him; Levi, who we know as Matthew, one of the twelve, author of the gospel by his name, was one of the reviled tax collectors for the Roman government. The religious leaders did not recognize that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. It’s quite easy for us to hold ourselves to a standard against another person who has problems that we don’t have. The real issue is that none of us can stand perfect before a holy God! If the blindness of our own self-righteousness is removed, we must fall to our knees and cry out to the great physician for his healing!

Open our eyes that we may turn to you as the great physician and receive your healing touch. Thank you that in Christ Jesus we may confidently approach your throne of grace, that “we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need.”

ESV Lectionary