Prayer Journal

Monday, July 29, 2002

"On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."'" Matthew 9:12-13

Perhaps the most difficult thing Jesus did in his earthly ministry was to attempt to change the wrong attitudes of religious folk. On this occasion, it is the Pharisees who are asking Jesus stupid questions. He answered their obvious query, but he also dealt with their deeper need. Maybe that ticked them off more than anything else.

You see, we are a lot like the Pharisees, in that we have difficulty hearing anything that calls into question our sinful tendencies. The Pharisees had a problem with the attention Jesus was giving tax collectors and sinners. What they didn't realize was that they fell into this "sinner" category and didn't even realize it. I'm sure Jesus enjoyed his time with tax collectors much more than with religious bigots.

Jesus came to minister to those who needed help and were not too proud to admit it. The Pharisees and Saducees saw themselves as judging Jesus' motives. Their preconceived holiness was not only misplaced but also arrogant. On the other hand, Jesus loved telling ordinary people that they were not so bad that God couldn't redeem them and make them holy.

Jesus told the Pharisees to go learn what "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" meant. I don't think many (if any) honestly took Jesus' suggestion, because they wanted Jesus' endorsement, not his indictment. The religious crowd took pride in the fact that their evening sacrifice would cover any daily sin. Because they felt so holy and invincible, they became judgmental toward everyone else. However, talking to Jesus, they didn't know they were talking to THE Judge of all judges - the only righteous Judge.

Are you like the Pharisee who felt holy but was not, or are you like the sinner who felt unholy but through Jesus was holy?

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998,2002 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries - All Rights Reserved

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I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers

* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans

* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself