Introduction Why Didn’t Jesus Come to Call the Righteous?
In Mark 2:17, Jesus responds to the Pharisees who question His association with tax collectors and sinners by saying,
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
This statement is key to understanding His mission on earth. But what exactly did Jesus mean by this? Was He excluding the righteous from salvation? To answer these questions, we must examine the broader context of the Gospel and the religious landscape during Jesus’ time.
Understanding why Jesus focused on sinners instead of the so-called righteous not only gives insight into His ministry but also into the heart of the Gospel message. In this article, we will take a closer look at the concept of righteousness, the nature of sin, and the central theme of Jesus’ love for the lost.
The Righteousness in Context
The Pharisees and Their Perception of Righteousness
To understand why Jesus made a distinction between the righteous and sinners, it’s crucial to comprehend how “righteousness” was viewed by the religious elite in His time, particularly the Pharisees. The Pharisees were a group of Jewish leaders who prided themselves on strict adherence to the Mosaic law and Jewish traditions. They were regarded by many as righteous due to their religious practices, devotion to the law, and visible piety.
However, Jesus often criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. In Matthew 23:27, Jesus said,
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
Their righteousness was outward and superficial. They believed they were righteous because of their works and strict observance of the law, but their hearts were far from God.
Jesus’ Interaction with Tax Collectors and Sinners
In contrast to the Pharisees, Jesus spent time with those whom society regarded as sinners. Tax collectors were particularly despised, seen as traitors who collaborated with the Roman authorities and cheated their fellow Jews. Sinners, in this context, referred to those who did not follow the strict religious practices upheld by the Pharisees.
One notable example of Jesus’ interaction with sinners is found in Luke 19:1-10, where Jesus encounters Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector. Jesus calls Zacchaeus to come down from the tree and declares, “Today salvation has come to this house.” Zacchaeus’ repentance and willingness to make amends for his wrongs demonstrate the transformative power of Jesus’ mission to call sinners to repentance.
3. Who Were Considered the “Righteous”?
In Jesus’ time, the term “righteous” was often used to describe individuals who appeared to live in accordance with religious laws and customs. Pharisees, scribes, and other spiritual leaders viewed themselves as righteous because of their devotion to the law.
However, Jesus’ teachings challenge this traditional notion of righteousness. He redefined righteousness as a matter of the heart rather than external adherence to the law. In Matthew 5:20, Jesus says,
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Here, Jesus highlights that mere legalistic observance is insufficient to attain true righteousness before God.
Why Didn’t Jesus Come for the Righteous?
The Nature of Self-Righteousness
The so-called righteous, particularly the Pharisees, believed they were justified before God by their own actions. This self-righteousness created a barrier between them and the message of Jesus. They did not recognize their need for a Savior because they thought they had already achieved righteousness through their own efforts.
Jesus, on the other hand, consistently called out this false sense of security. In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, in which the Pharisee prays with pride about his righteousness, while the tax collector humbly asks for God’s mercy. Jesus concludes that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God.
Jesus and Humility
Jesus’ message was one of humility. He did not come for those who believed they were already righteous; He came for those who recognized their sin and need for redemption. In Matthew 5:3, Jesus begins the Beatitudes by saying,
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The poor in spirit are those who understand their spiritual poverty and their need for God’s grace.
The Heart Condition of the “Righteous”
The “righteous” of Jesus’ time had hardened hearts. They were more concerned with outward appearances and social status than with the condition of their souls. Jesus didn’t come to call them because their self-righteousness prevented them from acknowledging their need for Him. Their pride kept them from receiving the message of repentance and salvation.
Sinners and the Need for a Savior
The Nature of Sin in the Bible
Sin, as defined in the Bible, is any act, thought, or attitude that goes against the will and character of God. Romans 3:23 states,
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
This means that everyone, regardless of how outwardly righteous they may appear, is in need of redemption.
Jesus’ Call to Repentance
Jesus’ mission was to call sinners to repentance. In Luke 5:32, He reiterates this purpose:
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Repentance is a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. Those who recognized their sinfulness were open to Jesus’ message of grace and forgiveness, whereas the self-righteous did not see their need to repent.
Jesus’ Mission as a Healer
In Mark 2:17, Jesus likens Himself to a doctor who comes to heal the sick, not the healthy. This metaphor emphasizes that sinners, like the sick, are in need of healing. Jesus’ ministry was about restoring those who were spiritually broken and offering them new life. The Pharisees, who believed they were spiritually healthy, did not see their need for such healing.
Jesus’ Love for the Lost
Parables of the Lost Sheep and Prodigal Son
Jesus often used parables to illustrate God’s love for sinners and His desire to bring them back to Himself. In the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7), Jesus tells of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that is lost. Similarly, in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the father eagerly awaits the return of his wayward son, showing love and forgiveness upon his return.
These parables highlight the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Jesus’ focus was always on reaching those who were lost and bringing them into a restored relationship with God.
God’s Grace for the Repentant
God’s grace is at the heart of Jesus’ mission. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that salvation is a gift from God:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Jesus came to offer this grace to all who would repent and believe, regardless of their past sins.
Conclusion
Jesus’ statement, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners,” reflects the heart of His mission. He came to offer salvation to those who recognized their need for Him, not to those who believed they were already righteous by their own efforts. The self-righteous were blinded by their pride, while sinners, aware of their brokenness, were open to Jesus’ message of grace and redemption.
Jesus’ ministry was one of inclusion, not exclusion. He reached out to the marginalized, the despised, and the lost, offering them hope and a new life. His love for sinners exemplifies the boundless grace of God, which is available to all who come to Him in repentance and faith.
FAQs
1. What does it mean that Jesus didn’t come to call the righteous?
It means that Jesus’ mission was to call those who recognized their sinfulness and need for a Savior, not those who believed they were already righteous by their own efforts.
2. Why did Jesus spend time with sinners and tax collectors?
Jesus spent time with sinners and tax collectors because they were often more receptive to His message of repentance and grace. His goal was to bring them into a relationship with God.
3. What is self-righteousness, and why did Jesus condemn it?
Self-righteousness is the belief that one is morally superior or justified by their own actions. Jesus condemned it because it creates a barrier to recognizing one’s need for God’s grace.
4. How does Jesus’ mission relate to God’s grace?
Jesus’ mission was to offer God’s grace to all who would repent and believe, regardless of their past sins or social status.
5. How can we apply Jesus’ message today?
We can apply Jesus’ message by recognizing our need for God’s grace, repenting of our sins, and sharing His love and forgiveness with others.