Calling for Sinners

“But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:30-32

Everyone is capable of displaying self-righteous tendencies from time to time. For the scribes and Pharisees, self-righteousness was the very heart of their understanding of religion. The goal was to be as good as you could be and make sure that as many people as possible were aware of your righteous living. At first glance, this seems logical to a person who has a desire to be known as an upstanding person. However, a self-righteous attitude flies in the face of a Holy God. Jesus often stressed the importance of humility and taking personal responsibility for our sin. The scribes and Pharisees wanted to know why Jesus spent time with people who were living obviously sinful lives. Jesus let them know that those who understand that they are sinners are the only ones who are willing to come to God for help. Jesus was not saying that there were some people who did not need to be saved, but rather that some people are not willing to recognize their need to be saved. Jesus knew that the Pharisees were just as sinful as the publicans, but the Pharisees were not willing to admit their sin. Jesus is still calling for sinners today. He is seeking for those who are sick of their spiritual condition and are willing to call on Him for salvation and forgiveness.