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Daily Devotions

Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 53

"Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 'Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious..."

Text: 1 Peter 2:6a

THE MASTER OF EVERY SITUATION

The disciples could not give a satisfactory reply to the scribes and Pharisees. The scribes and Pharisees could intimidate many people because they gave the impression that they were deeply knowledgeable and religious. The average citizen would not be able to stand up to the scathing attacks of these religious leaders.

The disciples must have brought this question to Jesus. The tax collectors and sinners would be all ears as to the answer that Jesus would give to the scribes and the Pharisees.

“When Jesus heard it, He said to them,
‘Those who are well have no need of a physician,
but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance.”
MARK 2:17

1. Sharp logic

There was no escaping the sharpness of the logic Jesus employed as He answered the barbed question raised by the scribes and Pharisees.

a) He was not merely dining with the tax collectors and sinners.
b) He was a physician at work, treating the deep needs of the soul.
c) The physician of the soul must go where he is needed most.

2. Calling of sinners to repentance

a) Sinners were not meant to be written off.
b) They were to be told that their sins may be forgiven.
c) They were to be told that they may begin afresh and even become disciples of Jesus.

3. The truly righteous

a) The truly righteous should understand the compassionate heart of Jesus.
b) They should be thankful that they are not ensnared by sin.
c) However, they should not stand in judgment of Jesus, or even of sinners.

A WONDERFUL WORD OF CONFIRMATION

To the disciples of Jesus, this was a wonderful word of confirmation for them. To the tax collectors and sinners, a new sense of hope was given. To the scribes and Pharisees, this was another opportunity to have their hearts and minds widened. The approach of Jesus to ministry was both dynamic, refreshing and irrefutable.