“Sick and Tired” – MARK 2:13-17

I love to say it, because it’s true – I feel better than I’ve felt in years. I have more energy, my doctors are pleased with my condition and I am sleeping well. But, I have to admit that I am sick and tired. Sure I have some sinus congestion lately, but outwardly all seems well. Inwardly, there is no denying the truth. I am simply sick and tired of being sick and tired. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hope that YOU are, too.

When Jesus came upon that vilest offender of his day – the tax collector – the crowds awaited the teaching for the day (2:13) from the Master. Levi (Matthew) was not a part of that crowd. You see, he ran with a different crowd (2:15) of partiers, thieves and power-brokers. Life was good, because Matthew was affluent and had a good job. Life was good, because Matthew had folks he enjoyed being around and a nice home for entertaining. I don’t know, but he might have been thinking about how he had not felt better in years.

Then Jesus stopped.

Why did He not just keep on walking and go teach the folks that WANTED to hear Him? That is the special beauty of our Savior and His mind and heart reading power. He came for those who NEEDED Him so that some of them would WANT Him. How curious then that we do not read a long persuasive argument followed by an excuse-filled rebuttal. Jesus said “Follow Me” and Matthew got up and followed Him. One who needed Him understood his need and also DESIRED Him. He was sick and tired after all. Matthew also knew his friends were sick and tired, too.

It all seems so confusing at first glance. The Pharisees, priests and scribes WANTED Messiah, they just didn’t want Jesus. The problem for them was that they did not feel a need for Him. They were in tip-top shape spiritually and no one could touch them. They were doing so well and feeling so good that they could see clearly those they needed to avoid – the sinners. No need to become infected by that disease that afflicted so many OTHER people … just no them. They were, after all, “righteous”.

Just ask them.

They needed Jesus just like you and me and everyone else. Repentance is a change of mind. Even the most moral man needs Jesus as much as the wretched and twisted of the world. Jesus made a point to both the “righteous” and the “sinner” with His strikingly simply point. You have to sense the need for Jesus (“forgiveness of sins”) before you can desire Him. How hard does a heart have to be to not want forgiveness? Hard enough to not see that they need forgiveness.

Need a doctor?