March 15...I have come to call

Matthew 9:13 “I have come to call, not the self-righteous but sinners” (NAB)

“I did not come to invite the “righteous” but the “sinners”. (Phillips)

“I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” (MSG)

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,
I was immediately drawn to the first 5 words of this verse: “I have come to call”. The word “call” can have 2 meanings here. Jesus “calls” us to give up our sins and follow Him. He is looking for sinners to change their lives, to save them. This verse is in the passage about the “calling” of Matthew, the tax collector. Jesus turns him into Matthew, the disciple. It all begins when Jesus goes to his house to eat and talk with him. Jesus “came to call”. We don’t do a lot of “calling” on people in this day and age, but it used to be a common occurrence in society. Dropping in, leaving your “calling card”, and visiting and sharing fellowship. This is what Jesus does. 

As written in Revelations, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus is there for each of us saying, “I have come to call”….we have to open the door. The Pharisees, who personify “the self-righteous” become upset because Jesus is “calling” on sinners. The meaning of the word self-righteous is very clear…those who have made themselves righteous, rather than depending on God to give them true righteousness. Jesus is looking for people who admit they can’t make themselves righteous and need Him to do it for them. We all are sinners….some admit it, some don’t. When the doctor comes calling, only those who recognize their illness will bother to open the door. I like the added meaning in the Message translation also: “I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders”. The Church often spends too much time coddling its “saved” members, and too little time inviting outsiders to come in. Forgive us our self-righteous focus! Let me always be ready to open the door, when Jesus comes to call! I am a sinner….I need the Great Physician to heal me! Thank you! amen.

I HAVE COME TO CALL….
I have come to call….
I’m standing right outside.
I’ll knock until you answer me
That I might here abide.

I’ve come to call all sinners
To make salvation known
I want to come into your heart
And there, to make my home!

I have come to call…
Will you let me in?
Only you can make the choice
To let me take your sin.

(3-15-2007)