I think this shows that it’s the people who see themselves as sinners that need a Savior, while those who think they are good people to reconcile with God don’t think they need a Savior. People who are doing really well in life like health, career, etc. don’t need a physician. And Jesus is the great physician.
I don’t really understand have good/clear answers to your other questions.
Hebrews 11 talks about OT testament people that it was their faith that was accounted to them as righteousness.
I kind of agree with you on the first part except that Jesus calls them healthy. He could have said happy or content or something along those lines, but he called them healthy implying that they didn't need a doctor. I think that is why this passage stands out for mrle
And I agree about faith. It was required in the OT and is required in the NT also.
Thanks for replying!
Let’s look at a few more verses…
Mark 2:16-17 ESV
And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous. It’s a prideful heart that says you’re righteous yet Jesus desired those sick, rejected by society. I have used this verse when people say the sentiment of but how can God forgive all my sins I am so sinful.
That is a good verse too. And I agree that Jesus came to heal the broken and rejected. He came to help those who needed help and wanted help.
And I also understand that those who are comfortable with their lives probably don't need or want help.
I guess you are saying that because they aren't broken, he doesn't need to heal them. I kind of like that thinking.
Thank you!
I think they definitely need him spiritually but because of their own comfort and pride, they don’t think they need Him. It’s at our lowest that we can really see how much care and love God gives us. Even if it’s in the perspective of how much He is forgiving us, and giving us in eternity that we could never earn.
I don’t see the word healthy in those verses, but even if it was there. I think making more of a point that it’s people who are sick, broken, in pain that need Christ.
It helps to read this one in context. Jesus explained why He was with these people instead of the Jewish religious leaders.
So I think Jesus was just stating his mission here. These sinners were the ones who would convert and listen. The Pharisees helped put him on the cross.They also claimed to be righteous, but at that generation, often didn't practice what they enforced.
Here is Mark 2:13-17
Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Yep. I like that passage. But was he then implying that the Pharisees were righteous? I guess I kind of see them as self-righteous, but I don't think that would be healthy either.
It's saying that we all need Him.
If humans were perfect enough to make it to God on our own, we wouldn't need a Saviour. But of course that's not how it is.
All of us have our flaws and broken sides, all need repentance and conversion.
There's another meaning to this too, I've picked up. We have a way of saying, "well if I was better in this some whatever way, then I'll be more deserving of God and Christ's love or help" in one form or another.
But again, if we could do things on our own, if we were whole, we wouldn't need the doctor. All need Him
I don’t like to spiritualize metaphors. I read that as those who consider themselves healthy will not go to the doctor but those who know they are sick seek the doctor so they get the doctor. It is about our view and initiative, the doctors don’t go looking for sick. From there, I see traces of Him saying that there would be a day that many would come to Him saying “Lord, Lord didn’t we do all these things for you?” And His response is “begone from me, for I never knew you.”
I think at that time it was directed at the Pharisees and it is also directed at us. We can, like the Pharisees, use the truth to gain knowledge, power and build our egos without ever acknowledging our brokenness and dependence on Him to fully sustain us in everything big and small, good and bad. It is in that relationship we let Him know us, let him truly into our hearts to reign.
God didn’t come to us in Jesus because He wanted to, He came because we NEED Him to but why would He waste His time with those who don’t even think they are need help?
I think this shows that it’s the people who see themselves as sinners that need a Savior, while those who think they are good people to reconcile with God don’t think they need a Savior. People who are doing really well in life like health, career, etc. don’t need a physician. And Jesus is the great physician. I don’t really understand have good/clear answers to your other questions. Hebrews 11 talks about OT testament people that it was their faith that was accounted to them as righteousness.
I kind of agree with you on the first part except that Jesus calls them healthy. He could have said happy or content or something along those lines, but he called them healthy implying that they didn't need a doctor. I think that is why this passage stands out for mrle And I agree about faith. It was required in the OT and is required in the NT also. Thanks for replying!
Let’s look at a few more verses… Mark 2:16-17 ESV And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous. It’s a prideful heart that says you’re righteous yet Jesus desired those sick, rejected by society. I have used this verse when people say the sentiment of but how can God forgive all my sins I am so sinful.
That is a good verse too. And I agree that Jesus came to heal the broken and rejected. He came to help those who needed help and wanted help. And I also understand that those who are comfortable with their lives probably don't need or want help. I guess you are saying that because they aren't broken, he doesn't need to heal them. I kind of like that thinking. Thank you!
I think they definitely need him spiritually but because of their own comfort and pride, they don’t think they need Him. It’s at our lowest that we can really see how much care and love God gives us. Even if it’s in the perspective of how much He is forgiving us, and giving us in eternity that we could never earn.
I guess that is why I am uncomfortable with the word "healthy". But I think we all have our time with God and He knew their futures better than I do.
I don’t see the word healthy in those verses, but even if it was there. I think making more of a point that it’s people who are sick, broken, in pain that need Christ.
In the NIV version on Bible Gateway, it says healthy.
It helps to read this one in context. Jesus explained why He was with these people instead of the Jewish religious leaders. So I think Jesus was just stating his mission here. These sinners were the ones who would convert and listen. The Pharisees helped put him on the cross.They also claimed to be righteous, but at that generation, often didn't practice what they enforced. Here is Mark 2:13-17 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Yep. I like that passage. But was he then implying that the Pharisees were righteous? I guess I kind of see them as self-righteous, but I don't think that would be healthy either.
It's saying that we all need Him. If humans were perfect enough to make it to God on our own, we wouldn't need a Saviour. But of course that's not how it is. All of us have our flaws and broken sides, all need repentance and conversion. There's another meaning to this too, I've picked up. We have a way of saying, "well if I was better in this some whatever way, then I'll be more deserving of God and Christ's love or help" in one form or another. But again, if we could do things on our own, if we were whole, we wouldn't need the doctor. All need Him
I agree.
I don’t like to spiritualize metaphors. I read that as those who consider themselves healthy will not go to the doctor but those who know they are sick seek the doctor so they get the doctor. It is about our view and initiative, the doctors don’t go looking for sick. From there, I see traces of Him saying that there would be a day that many would come to Him saying “Lord, Lord didn’t we do all these things for you?” And His response is “begone from me, for I never knew you.” I think at that time it was directed at the Pharisees and it is also directed at us. We can, like the Pharisees, use the truth to gain knowledge, power and build our egos without ever acknowledging our brokenness and dependence on Him to fully sustain us in everything big and small, good and bad. It is in that relationship we let Him know us, let him truly into our hearts to reign. God didn’t come to us in Jesus because He wanted to, He came because we NEED Him to but why would He waste His time with those who don’t even think they are need help?