What Jesus Did! 'Among Sinners' — Mark 2:15-17

Monday, February 5, 2024

Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus' followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?"

When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

Key Thought

Jesus came to save sinners. Yes, all of us are sinners. Unfortunately, many - even some people who consider themselves religious - try to pretend they are not sinners or defend the sins they have committed as "normal failures" or "mistakes." Jesus reminds us that he came to rescue sinners. He came for us. He came to call us to join him in the work of rescuing sinners. Will we respond?

Today's Prayer

Righteous Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save me from my sins. Without your grace, I know that I would be lost. Please use me to help others find their way to your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Timothy 1:12-17
  • 1 John 1:8-10
  • Luke 19:9-10

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

9 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 2:15-17 NLT — "Why does he eat with such scum?"   ——   "Healthy people don't need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, February 5, 2024

The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Have you ever really weighed and considered how great the sin of God's people is? Think how heinous is your own transgression, and you will find that...."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"[After the return of the people of Judah from Babylon, this is what the Lord said about them,] "They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear...."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Faithful Follower, One of the marks of Our — Father, Son, and Spirit's — people has been their acceptance of "moving out," that is,...."
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.