I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. —Luke 5:32

Click Here to Read Today’s Scripture: Luke 5:1-32 

Impatiently waiting in her hospital room to be discharged after her surgery, the young woman heard beautiful singing coming from the building next door. Church, she said to herself. The IV needle was still inserted in the back of her hand, and her body felt so weak, she wasn't sure she could endure the relatively short walk across the two adjacent parking lots. But she managed to. And Sunday after Sunday she has continued to attend that church next door to St. Luke Hospital. As her body continued to heal with the help of hospital care, her soul and spirit experienced healing through personal relationship with Jesus. 

Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Chapter 5:31-32). Jesus said this after some Pharisees criticized Him for hanging out with Levi (Matthew), a tax collector and “[many other] sinners” (v 30). Earlier, Simon Peter the fisherman, feeling unworthy of Jesus’s intervention in his life, had begged Jesus: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (v.8).

Indeed, he was a sinful man. And so are you and I and all of humanity, for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We all needed a spiritual doctor. And so, God the Son came two thousand years ago, to dwell among us, to show us how to live and love, and to save us from our sins.

In the words of the angel to the shepherds the night Jesus was born, that is, indeed, glad tidings of great joy! 

Reflection: What physical, emotional, or spiritual hurt has Jesus healed you from? Who can you encourage by sharing that good news?    

Prayer Starter:

Jesus, thank you for coming to earth to heal us in every way. Help me to remember to turn to you in my sin and my pain.

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