Repentance Brings Peace

December 13

"And when the Pharisees saw it,
they said to his disciples,
'Why does your Teacher eat
with tax collectors and sinners?'
When Jesus heard that, he said to them,
'Those who are well have no need of a physician,
but those who are sick.
But go and learn what this means:
I desire mercy and not sacrifice.
For I did not come to call the righteous,
but sinners, to repentance.'"
Matthew 9:11-13

If you have no need, then he did not come for you.

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day. They believed they were the go-to teachers and rulers for the masses, and they dictated to the masses the rules and rituals by which all should live. In other words, they considered themselves the righteous ones, who had no need. That's religion - doing works to make oneself feel righteous. It masquerades a person's need.

But if you recognize your need, then he came to bring the remedy that will bring you to repentance, which will bring you to peace. You CANNOT do it on your own any more than you could heal yourself. But if you will humble yourself before him and ask for the remedy, he will heal you and bring you to repentance, and to a greater peace and happiness than you've ever known.