Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Matthew 9:13 NLT
The Pharisees (the religious elite/leadership of the Jewish synagogues) were running their mouths about Jesus hanging out with tax collectors. Jesus responds and then at the end, says the above.
The Pharisees thought they were righteous because of their lineage, position, and status. Always looking down on others, especially the easy targets.
But Jesus let’s them know He isn’t calling for them, the Pharisees, he is calling for those that know they are sinners.
I love this verse because it reveals clearly God’s heart. He seeks to help those that know they are sinners – and I think it is implied that these sinners who know they are sinners want help – they want to get better.
It is a heart issue. And those that realize they are sinners know they need help outside of themselves. These are the people Jesus says here that he calls on or seeks.
How generous is Jesus? How gracious is our Father that He pursues us sinners?
We were sinners, but because of the blood of Jesus – our sins have been washed away. We are clean, perfect, and blameless in His sight because we are covered by the blood.
Rest assured that as a believer in Jesus, you are blameless and can come into His presence at anytime and have an audience with the CREATOR of the universe.
May Jesus bless you today and He give you a win.
Your brother alongside you in the fight,
Dave
PS, Phil Wickham has a solid song titled, Creator. You’ll like it especially if you really connect with the Lord through nature.
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