On hearing [people complaining he associated with sinful people], Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
Why did Jesus associate with sinners? Because we need him to associate with us! What's the most crucial part of that truth: Jesus' desire to love and save us or our recognition of our need for him in our sinfulness? Of course, the most crucial truth is Jesus' desire to love and save us. Without him, recognizing our sinfulness would only lead us to despair. At the same time, however, if we don't acknowledge our need for Jesus' love and grace, the Lord's sacrifice for us is lost to us. So, let's praise Jesus as our loving and sacrificial Savior as we acknowledge our need for his merciful love and mighty grace!
Gracious Father, I praise you from the bottom of my heart for providing Jesus as my Savior. At the same time, dear Father, I confess I struggle with sin. I want sin entirely out of my life, yet I find that I cannot rid myself of its constant shadow and its penetrating stain. Without your grace and the love and mercy of Jesus, I know I could not stand before you as your pure child. So, please forgive me for the sins I confess to you now...
As I have received your love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness, please receive my praise for your gracious forgiveness. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
![Illustration of Matthew 9:12 — On hearing [people complaining he associated with sinful people], Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/558.jpg "Illustration of Matthew 9:12 — On hearing [people complaining he associated with sinful people], Jesus said, \"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.\"")
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