It is no big secret that I do not like doctors. With my medical history, I guess I suffer from a bit of PTSD. For a while, it seemed like every time I went to the doctor’s office they tried to find a reason to run more tests, take more blood, and/or cut on me! Our last three years in China, I taught conversational English to medical post-graduates (think Master’s level). They would often ask me if I liked Chinese doctors. I would reply, “I think about American and Chinese doctors the same way. On a personal level, I like them very much. On a professional level, stay away from me!” Yet as “undesirable” as I find these doctors, when I am sick, I know they can help me feel better.
Jesus, on the other hand, loved to spend time with the “undesirables.” Jesus spent time with the seedy underbelly of the Jewish community, tax collectors and sinners. When the scribes and Pharisees questioned the disciples about this, the disciples reply is not recorded in Scripture. Jesus’ response, however, rings loud and clear.
And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Mark 2:17
These tax collectors and sinners knew they had a problem. They knew they could not fix it by themselves. They knew Jesus would and could help. Jesus was a magnet, drawing them out to confront even their darkest sins and leaving a changed person. In fact, the occasion where Jesus says this, He is dining at Levi’s home with Levi’s buddies. Levi is better known by a different name, Matthew—one of the Twelve.
Something happened during Levi’s encounter with Jesus that changed his life forever. This is no surprise. Whenever people came into contact with the Savior, they never left the same. Sometimes they left with the resolve to follow Him and change their sinful behavior. Sometimes, they left angry. Sometimes they just left. But then, I guess that was to be expected.
This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.
-John 3:19-21
Just like I do not like to go the doctor because I have to admit that I am sick, people refuse to come to Christ because they would have to admit they have a problem with sin. Just like the doctor can help diagnose and fix whatever illness plagues me, Jesus can diagnose and cure/cleanse people’s sins. The question that remains is, “Do you want to get well?” The Great Physician is waiting. It is time to step into His office.