"And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:27-32)

Are you righteous? Or perhaps a better question would be, what kind of righteous are you?

From the early beginnings of John the Baptist’s ministry in the wilderness and all the way through the ministry of Jesus, we find conflicts with the Scribes and Pharisees. In particular, they seem to have no understanding of the concept of repentance. They see themselves as righteous. Therefore, they see no need for repentance.

It is this kind of “self righteousness” that Jesus intends in this passage. Jesus came to save sinners. And those sinners see themselves as such. Those dead in sin, are filled with their own “righteousness” and see no need for a Savior.

But those who are born of the Spirit of God have a sense of their sin and are sick of it. They desire to be healed.

Don’t ignore that sense of guilt and sickness of sin. That is the Holy Spirit at work in you. Instead, run to the Great Physician and feel the healing power of His grace!