“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17 ESV).
Mark recorded that when the scribes of the Pharisees questioned why Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus answered with a vivid metaphor. He compared Himself to a physician and humanity to the sick. In doing so, He revealed both the true condition of the human heart and the purpose of His mission. The “well” were not truly healthy; they were those who believed themselves to be spiritually whole. The “righteous” were not genuinely righteous before God, but self-righteous—confident in their law-keeping and blind to their need. The “sinners,” however, were those who admitted their moral and spiritual disease.
The apostle Paul later affirmed this same mission when he wrote, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15). Before meeting Christ, Paul believed he could see clearly. As a Pharisee, he trusted in his righteousness and zeal. Yet on the road to Damascus, the risen Lord struck him blind. In that physical blindness, Paul began to see his true spiritual condition. Only after Christ restored his sight did he truly understand grace. Mark showed that Jesus did not come to affirm self-perceived righteousness but to call needy sinners to Himself. As the true Physician, He exposes our blindness, diagnoses our sin, and brings healing sight.
We must ask ourselves whether we think we are well. If we trust in our morality, knowledge, or religious activity, we may be blind to our true condition. Like Paul, we may think we see clearly when we do not. We cannot heal our own hearts or open our own eyes. We must humble ourselves and admit our sin-sickness. When we confess our need, Jesus meets us with mercy. He does not turn away the sinner who comes honestly; He restores, forgives, and gives sight. Having been healed, we must also extend compassion to other needy sinners rather than standing in self-righteous judgment. Today, let us come to Jesus, the great physician, confessing our sin and receiving His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess that apart from Christ we are spiritually blind and sick with sin. Forgive us for trusting in our own righteousness. Open our eyes to see our true need and Your abundant grace. Thank You for sending Jesus to save sinners like us. Heal us, restore our sight, and make us instruments of Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.