The Only Cure for Sin-sickness

“And Jesus answering said unto them, ‘They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’”

 (Luke 5:31-32)

Murmuring is not one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit but there are those who feel it is their responsibility and privilege to murmur. Similarly, the scribes and Pharisees murmured against the disciples of Jesus for eating and drinking with the publicans and sinners at the feast in Levi’s house.

“Well people do not need a physician,” Jesus told them, “just sick people.” In like manner he informed them that He did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

The problem with the scribes and Pharisees was that they did not see the need to visit the Great Physician. They were sin-sick and did not know it. Until a physically ill person realizes he is sick he will not make an appointment with a physician. And, until a person sees the need of the Savior, the Great Physician, he will not come to Him in repentance and faith. Levi and the other publicans saw their need for a visit with Jesus. Have you seen that need yet? Have you allowed Him to apply the cure for your sin-sickness?

When a Starving Soul finds the Bread of Life

“And Levi made Him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and or others that sat down with them.” (Luke 5:29)

It has been said that evangelism is a starving man who has found food telling another starving man where to find food.

Levi left his former lifestyle and occupation and followed Jesus. Soon, perhaps that evening or the next day, Levi made Jesus a great feast in his house. It should come as no surprise that many of the invited guests were fellow publicans, tax collectors. These were the people he knew. They were the ones with whom he socialized. They were his business associates. He knew their longing to be loved and accepted. He had been starving for the bread which Jesus gave him. So, he made the great feast for Jesus and he invited his companions. Others came also.

Perhaps you recently received the “Bread of Life” and you are a changed person. Invite the people in your circle to feast with you. There is enough to go around. Invite them to hear the gospel message of Jesus with you Sunday morning when you meet with other hungry souls who have found food.

Jesus Wants You: Follow Him

“And after these things He went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He said unto him, ‘Follow me.’ And he left all, rose up, and followed Him.” (Luke 5:27-28)

Jesus not only sees where we are, who we are, as we are, and what we are, He calls us to Himself to follow Him.

Levi, known to us as Matthew, who wrote the gospel bearing his name, was a tax collector. He collected taxes from the Jews for the Roman government. He was considered by the Jews to be a traitor, a sinner of the worst kind. He was sitting at his place of occupation, waiting for the receipts to come in. He was allowed by the Romans to keep anything he could collect over and above the government’s demands as long they got theirs. That is who he was and that is where Jesus saw him.  Most people despised and shunned him. But Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Levi made no excuses such as, “I can’t afford to leave my lucrative income; I’m too sinful and despised; Allow me think it over; Let me see what the Roman government might think.”

The text says he did three things. First, he left all. Second, he rose up. And third, he followed Jesus. All three happened immediately and not in succession. God honors that kind of response to His call.

Simple Faith in the Profound Christ

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.”
(John 20:30-31)

In our English Bibles we find thirty-seven miracles of Jesus recorded. John the apostle records eight miracles, acknowledging that his list is not complete. The ones he wrote were for the purpose of bringing his readers to saving faith in Jesus.

Many precious souls are in heaven today because John wrote the things of Jesus Christ, proving that He is the Christ, the Son of God. Accepting that message they believed and were given eternal life. That message, written by John in the first century, is the same message one can read today. I challenge you to read John’s gospel over and over.

The message, while very profound, is very simple. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” (Acts 16:31)  I pray that the Holy Spirit will help those who read John’s gospel message of Jesus will believe and be saved.

Leave a Good Inheritance

“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children…” (Proverbs 13:22)

Sometimes I think it would be good to be able to have a big stash of money and real estate to leave my grandchildren. But then I see families torn apart for years, fighting, and quarreling over an inheritance.

The writer of our text is not speaking of things, money, houses and lands, necessarily. There are better things than money that one might leave his heirs. Many a good man has died penniless. Our Savior was one of them. The Bible says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1) It is better that one’s grandchildren be left a good, honest and respected name than an abundance of goods with a disgraceful character and a smudged reputation.

How is that good name passed down to one’s grandchildren? The beloved, Apostle John gives us a hint when he says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (III John 1:4) A good name, trustworthiness, honesty, Godliness, impeccable morals and a good example are passed down from grandparents to parents to children. In writing his second letter to Timothy, Paul called to remembrance the unfeigned or real faith that was in Timothy, which was first in his grandmother Lois and then in his mother Eunice. (II Timothy 1:5)

Don’t let money, goods, things, gold and silver be the only inheritance your grandchildren inherit from you. The memory of you in church with them regularly and teaching them the things of God at home as well as at church is an excellent inheritance.

The Two Classes of People

“He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)

Basically, there are only two classes of people in the world. There are “believers,” and “unbelievers.” These two classes are illustrated by the two men on crosses on either side of Jesus when He was crucified. One said, “If thou be the Christ come down from the cross and save yourself and us.” The other man said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

There was no faith expressed in the word, “if,” spoken by the first man. There was abundant saving faith in the words, “Lord, remember me…” spoken by the other one. Both men were condemned by unbelief before going to the cross. Both men were sinners. One died a condemned man, condemned by his unbelief. The other died an un-condemned man, declared so by his faith. 

You are represented by one of these men and are in a class with him. If you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ you are condemned already. Your verdict of “guilty,” is already in. If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you are not condemned. I encourage you to place your faith in Jesus Christ now.

Don’t be a Fool

“The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God…’”(Psalm 14:1)

Today is, “All Fools Day,” or to most of us, "April Fools Day.” Practical jokes will be in abundance. I’ll be honest; I enjoy pulling April Fools jokes. I have never pulled an April Fools joke on myself.

In our text the fool says in his heart, there is no God. He is pulling a joke on himself all the while thinking everyone who acknowledges God is a fool. He does not say there is no God openly or publicly. He says this in his heart, down in the hidden recesses of his being. He does not wish to be criticized by his fellow man, most of whom declare the existence of God.

The Bible says he is a fool that does not acknowledge God, the all mighty Creator, all powerful all knowing and all wise God. Such a person who denies God is a fool, not just one day in a year, but every day. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.”