“Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers, ‘What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and misfits?’
“Jesus, overhearing, shot back, ‘Who needs a doctor; the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m hear to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.'” (Matthew 9:10-13 MSG)
As far back as my school days, there always seemed to be an “in-crowd.” They were the popular girls. They seemed to have secrets that the rest of us didn’t understand. They were confident and poised. I was never one of them.
What Jesus said in this passage makes so much sense intellectually. We need a doctor when we are sick, not when we are well. However it is difficult to understand with our hearts. It is exactly because of our failings, struggles and imperfections that Jesus came. While He came for everybody, It is those who are not in the “in-crowd” that need Him most, those of us who feel like we don’t quite fit in to society, who battle to live a victorious Christian life.
My Prayer
Lord, when I’m not coping, when I feel spiritually weak or unwell, I run to you, my doctor. Please help me to allow You to speak to me, then do what You say. Amen.
Coffee in the Rain 