Scripture Post #365: *JESUS WITH SINNERS?*

Luke 5:

31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

[Disclaimer: The image here (in it's original form) was from an image search-engine. The original source of this image is unbeknown to me. I own no rights of this image.]

CONTEXT:

Luke 5:27: "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."

V. 28: "And he left all, rose up, and followed him."

V. 29: "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."

V. 30: "But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?"

V. 31: "And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick."

V. 32: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

From the context we have the fact that JESUS ate with sinners in order to call them to repentance. Repentance means change. When you repent, you change your ways. You discontinue doin' the sins you did before you came to know JESUS. JESUS said (in response to HIM eating with sinners): "They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." That should be the 1 and only reason you fellowship with sinners—to call them to repentance—to call them to change! I've heard people take this Scripture out of context and twist it into meaning that: it's okay to be with the world 'cause JESUS did—HE hung out with sinners. No HE didn't. JESUS wasn't hanging out in this passage of Scripture. HE ate 1 meal!! That's not hanging out! And HE only did it to show them the way of change, so they could be free from sin. I've also heard from people that JESUS had sinners around HIM all the time. Lie! HE did no such thing. I wish people wouldn't use Holy Scripture to back their love for the world!

1st John 2:15: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

V. 16: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

Originally Published: Thu. 9/12/13