There are two types of people when it comes to scheduling doctor’s appointments. Some act quickly when symptoms of sickness or injury appear (like my dear wife). Others put it off, thinking, “It’s probably nothing serious. I’m fine.” After two months of nagging knee and elbow pain (and numerous encouragements from my wife to go see an orthopedist) I finally went and was diagnosed and given a treatment plan and course for healing.

In our passage from Luke this Sunday, Jesus uses this very analogy to say that there will also two types of people when it comes to responding to His call of repentance.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31–32)

As we’ll see, the ones Jesus puts in the “those who are well” category are far from well. They’re just as sick as “those who are sick” but they don’t realize it.

It was this passage that inspired the hymn writer Joseph Hart to write these famous stanzas of Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy. Take a moment to sing it this week and ask the Lord to encourage your heart into this posture through the merciful and welcoming image of Jesus it puts before us.

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready stands to save you
Full of pity, love, and power

 Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome
God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Let not conscience make you linger
Nor of fitness* fondly dream
All the fitness* he requireth
Is to feel your need of him

 Come, ye weary, heavy laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry till you’re better
You will never come at all

*fitness = worthiness to come to Jesus

This Sunday Erik Thoennes will be preaching Luke 5:27-32 and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And pray that we would all gather this Sunday feeling our need of him and encouraged that it’s precisely our desperation that warms Jesus’ heart to receive us.

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!

 

Song Link of the Week

Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy by Fernando Ortega

He sings the added refrain, which is a beautiful response to each of the stanzas above:

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
O, there are ten thousand charms