“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32 ESV).
In Luke’s gospel, he recorded that Jesus spoke these words in response to the Pharisees and scribes who criticized Him for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus had just called Levi (also called Matthew) and shared a meal with those considered sinners. Jesus referred to the “righteous” not as those who were truly sinless, but as those who believed themselves to be righteous. Like the Pharisees, they saw no need for repentance. Jesus revealed that His mission was not to affirm the self-righteous, but to call sinners to repentance. The scandal of His statement was intentional. The kingdom of God was open to those who knew they were spiritually sick, but closed to those who denied their condition. His call was not merely an invitation to belong, but a summons to be transformed.
We must honestly examine our hearts. It is easy for us to compare ourselves with others and assume we are “well.” But Jesus made it clear that the greatest barrier to salvation is not our sin, but our refusal to admit it. If we think we are righteous on our own, we will never run to Christ. But when we recognize our sin and our need, we will see Him as the Great Physician who alone can heal us. He does not come to leave us as we are, but to call us to repentance and new life. So we must ask ourselves the question: Do we truly see our need, or are we pretending to be well when we’re really sick?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess that we are often tempted to see ourselves as righteous and self-sufficient. Open our eyes to our true condition and humble our hearts to admit our need. Help us to turn from our sin in genuine repentance and to trust fully in Jesus as our Savior and Healer. Transform us by Your grace and make us new. In Jesus’ name, amen.