When some men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus, he saw their faith that moved them to act. True faith is not just intellectual assent; it leads to action. Jesus said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” As the teachers of the law thought that he was blaspheming, Jesus proclaimed that he had authority to forgive sins. And by healing the man, he proved his authority to forgive sins. Jesus’ forgiveness may look invisible, but it is the most precious and costly gift we could ever receive. Forgiveness was costly—Jesus purchased our forgiveness with his blood on the cross. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Ro 8:1).

Matthew was a tax collector, despised by his fellow Jews for working with Rome. Jesus called him, the outcast. He saw Matthew’s potential, not his failure. Jesus had a joyful eating fellowship with tax collectors and sinners, despite the Pharisees’ criticism. His fellowship with the outcasts displays that God’s kingdom is for the broken who acknowledge their need. The Pharisees kept rules but lacked God’s heart—mercy. But Jesus desired mercy, not rules and sacrifice. He saw sinners suffering and agonizing in their sin-sickness and healed them. Jesus came as the Great Physician to heal the sick with sin. Jesus came to call sinners.
Application: Lord, I need Jesus, my doctor, who can heal my body, mind and spirit each day.
One Word: Jesus is my doctor