“But Sinners”

 “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.(Luke 5:32 ESV)

If you read the Bible at all or attend worship services, you will have seen or heard today’s scripture. Like most scripture, its depth of meaning is often overlooked. The context in which Jesus spoke this text is important. Jesus had just called Levi to discipleship, and Levi followed Jesus. Levi had a feast for Jesus and included other tax collectors, all who were seen as the lowest of people and the greatest of sinners, as well as other sinners. As usual, the Pharisees questioned the apostles, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”(v 30). Jesus response in verse 32 is directed at the Pharisees who would never associate with “those kinds of people.”

If we look a little deeper at verse 32, we recognize that there are two types of sinners, and Jesus is speaking only to one of these groups. Jesus did not come to call the righteous because there are none. Outside of Abraham, Noah, Enoch, and a select few men in the Old Testament, none were made righteous by faith in God. Paul tells us this in Romans 3:10 and 3:23. So, when Jesus tells them He did not come to save the righteous, He is actually telling them they are sinners. Sinners who refuse to acknowledge their sin and the living Christ. They are part of the one group of sinners who will not come to believe in Christ, therefore, cannot receive salvation, and are not the sinners Christ came to save.

The second group of sinners is the ones seated at the table and dining with Jesus. Levi was called and came to Christ. He ministered with Him and believed in Him and, in doing so, was made righteous and received salvation. It is those elect, those chosen and called by God to come to Christ in faith that Jesus came to save.

Self-righteousness is born of pride, a sin. This pride comes from those who practice works-righteousness; those who try to earn their salvation or have not truly been saved. The law, which is the foundation of works-righteousness religions, only kills. It kills because we cannot obey the law of God due to our sinful nature.

We are sinners and will be despite our salvation. For many Christians, this becomes quite frustrating. It is troubling and can cause one to question one's salvation. The mere fact that we recognize our sin and understand that we need Christ reveals that we must have faith in Christ and are among the sinners Jesus came to save.

We should be thankful for texts like Luke 5:32 because they give us hope in Christ. When our sin overwhelms us, we find ourselves in the midst of temptation, or we are troubled by particularly stubborn recurring sins. This is the verse we should turn to in our despair. When we feel like we are not progressing as Christians, we can find solace in the fact that we are the very people Jesus told the Pharisees He came to save. I did not tell you so; Jesus did, so believe.

Have you come to Christ as your Savior? He is the great physician who heals all things and makes them new. As Christ told Nicodemus, you must be reborn in the Spirit. Seek Christ and find eternal life in the arms of the Son of God.

Grace and Peace.