He came to save sinners

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

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The Pharisees were a strict and self-righteous group who objected strongly to Jesus reaching out to “sinners”. Here Jesus had gone to eat with Matthew, a despised tax-collector. Using a medical analogy, Jesus points out that people who are most aware of their need are the ones most open to his help and healing.

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Not that the Pharisees needed Jesus less. All sin is fatal and all of us are sinners. But unless we recognise that, we will stand aloof from the forgiveness which Jesus offers. Zacchaeus, a tax-collector like Matthew, was likewise “a sinner” and aware of his need. He too found salvation, for Jesus “came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:9-10).

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One Pharisee who did come to recognise his need of Jesus was called Saul. In righteous zeal he had persecuted Christians, until the day Jesus when called him and his eyes were opened. Later, as the Christian Paul, he wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim.1:15). That’s the starting point for being found.