Christ the Great Physician

 Christ the Great Physician

Scripture: Matthew 9:10-13 (NIV)

¹⁰ While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Devotion:

Imagine the scene: a crowded room, the aroma of food lingering in the air, and Jesus reclining at the table. Around Him gather a motley crew—tax collectors, notorious sinners, and curious onlookers. The religious elite, the Pharisees, stand at the periphery, their disapproval palpable. But Jesus, the Great Physician, is at work. His invitation extends beyond the physical meal; it reaches the depths of souls hungry for healing. Just as a physician attends to the sick, Jesus attends to those who are spiritually sick, offering them the cure of His love and forgiveness.

Matthew, once a tax collector himself, hosts this unconventional dinner party. His house buzzes with conversation—the clink of wine cups, laughter, and stories shared. The guests are not righteous, but those branded as outcasts are the very people society shunned. Yet, Jesus sits among them, His presence a beacon of hope. Matthew's transformation from a tax collector to a disciple and host of this dinner party is a powerful testament to the transformative power of Jesus' love and acceptance.

The Pharisees, guardians of religious tradition, raise their eyebrows. Their question echoes through the ages: “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” They see contamination; Jesus sees redemption. His mission transcends social norms. He seeks hearts, not appearances.

Jesus responds with wisdom: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” His metaphor cuts to the core. We are all spiritually unwell, infected by sin. The tax collectors and sinners recognize their need; they come to the Great Physician, desperate for a cure. Jesus doesn’t shy away from their brokenness; He embraces it.

Jesus challenged the Pharisees: “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” This statement, drawn from the book of Hosea, emphasizes God's preference for mercy and compassion over ritualistic sacrifices. Mercy—a balm for wounded souls—takes precedence over legalistic rule-keeping. God’s heart beats for compassion, and Jesus embodies this mercy, reaching across divides to heal.

Jesus concludes, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” His invitation echoes through time, reaching out to every soul that feels broken and lost. Sinners—us—find a place at His table. He calls us, not because we’re righteous, but precisely because we’re broken. Redemption awaits. Our sins, like tax collectors’ ledgers, are wiped clean. Restoration begins. Jesus still invites us. Our brokenness doesn’t disqualify us; it qualifies us for grace. At His table, we find forgiveness, acceptance, and transformation. So, let us come—tax collectors, sinners, and seekers alike. The Great Physician awaits, ready to heal our souls and make us whole.

Prayer:

            Lord God Almighty, thank you for sending Jesus to heal our broken bodies, minds, and souls. We will never be so sick that Jesus cannot heal what is wrong with us. His healing power is not temporary, but enduring, and it is always available for those who believe in Him. Let us encourage one another to seek help and healing from Jesus. May we invite those suffering to reach out and take the hand pierced for all of us broken sinners. Amen.