Read Luke 5:27-32
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”
Luke 5:31,32
When Jesus called Peter to follow Him (Luke 5:1-11) He gave Him a specific mission: I will make you a fisher of men. Here is something different. Jesus doesn’t give Matthew a specific reason to follow Him? Did Luke want to avoid writing a bit more because that evening he was tired of writing and wanted to keep it short so he could go to bed early? No. It seems that Luke wants to remind us that the vision is not primarily doing something but obediently following the Lord in discipleship so He can save and transform us. The doing is ‘natural’ outcome of following Jesus sincerely.
The meaning of the word is literally someone who deviates from the right path due to sin. What the paralytic in the previous verses was in his body, Matthew was in his soul. One was sick and stuck to his mat, the other was sick and stuck to his tax-collector’s booth. Jesus forgives and heals them both so that they will walk with Him in the right path of holiness.
Lord, like Matthew, I too find that I am ‘sick’ and a ‘sinner’ in need of Your healing and Your mercy. Heavenly Doctor, Lord and Healer, I give You all the areas where I need deeper repentance and healing and ask You to help me at this moment turn to You wholeheartedly.