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."

— Mark 2:15-17 NLT

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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

9 Related Resources by Heartlight

Jesus' Loose Lug Nuts and His RagTag Band
Article by Phil Ware
Could it be that we are more afraid of being contaminated by the world than motivated by Jesus to be salt and light? Phil Ware reminds us that we want to not only share in the Lord's Supper, but we also want our table to be like Levi's table of grace and friendship.
Loose Lug Nuts and the RagTag Band
Article by Phil Ware
Will we make the Lord's Table like Levi's table? Phil Ware reminds us that we want to not only share in the Lord's Supper, but we also want our table to be like Levi's table of grace and friendship.
Kooks
Article by Vann Conwell
Who really wants these folks in church? Jesus, of course! When a mega-pastor says he wants to get rid of the kooks that weigh his church down, Vann is not only shocked, but prays that God sends the kooks to his church.
Dinner at Levi's House
Article by Phil Ware
They're unsettling. They're uncomfortable. They're troubling. So, we don't ask, at least not out loud! Phil Ware asks a bunch of troubling questions as he looks at the story of Jesus and his call of Levi and the party Levi had at his house afterwords.
See All 9 Related Resources about Mark 2:15-17

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

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 2 Peter 1:4
"If you would know experimentally the preciousness of the promises, and enjoy them in your own heart, meditate much upon them. There are promises which..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Ephesus!'
"Dear Beloved, In today's reading, you will find Paul arriving in Ephesus. Ephesus was a remarkable and important city in Paul's world. But the people..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Jesus Fulfills God's Plan' (Acts 13:32-37)
"[Continuing in the synagogue, Paul said,] "And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Joy, Prayer, the Spirit's Fire' (1 Th. 5:16-23)
"Dear Father, holy God, Help me always to be joyful and to pray continually, giving thanks to you in all circumstances, since this is your will for me..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!