10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13

He said “follow me.” Then, Matthew invited Him for dinner.

The religious professionals were shocked. Sinners, tax collectors were there.

“Jesus, you’re so holy why do you associate with sinners?”

They didn’t expect this answer.

There were sacrifice experts. Follow ritual, make sacrifices, act holy.

This is not true faith.

The One who created water calls for compassion, forgiveness, love.

Can a person look healthy and have a terminal condition?

Is sin a sickness? Does it require a “doctor’s” care?

We are afflicted, all of us with a terminal condition.

The Great Physician, Jesus, came to exchange sin for righteousness.