First Baptist Church
October 4, 2026

      • James 1.2-4ESV

      • James 1.5-7ESV

      • James 1.8-10ESV

      • James 1.11ESV

  • Be Thou My Vision
  • Christ Our Wisdom
  • Day By Day

      • Mark 8:27–29ESV

  • O Great God

    • Opening Illustration (Hook)

      Imagine you’re feeling desperately ill — fever spiking, body aching, unable to get out of bed. You know you need help, but you’re too weak to make it to the clinic, unable to even get to the phone and call. Then, all of a sudden, you hear a knock at the door. It’s the doctor — not sending a prescription through a screen, not telling you to “tough it out,” but steps into your home, sits by your bed, and treats you right where you are.
      Now how many of us have doctors like this? Doctors who show up when you most need them and offer you something that you couldn’t get on your own. None of us really have doctors like that do we. Most the time, we have to make appointments with them and usually they are quite busy. It’s can be difficult to get immediate help. You might even have to wait a few days. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a doctor like the one described above. Well, truth be told… we do indeed have a doctor like this.
      In our passage today, Jesus compares Himself to a physician.… the greatest physician the world has ever know. Why could it be that He is so great a physician… because He has the greatest and most effective cure for the most deadly and atrocious disease. A disease that eats away at our life (our joy, our peace, our sanity, our desires, our longings, our relationships) and will inevitably lead to death.… eternal death, a never ending death. People make light of the world hell. It’s hot as hell people say. Or they might mock a place by describing it as a living hell. But there is nothing in this life that comes even remotely close to the reality of what hell is actually like here on this earth. It is wholly unlike anything we have ever experienced. This is what scripture describes as death.
      But Jesus the great physician has come to provide a cure.
      Last week, we looked at where Jesus demonstrated great ability to cleanse and to heal. But the healing He provides is far more than physical. To the paralytic man, he said, your sins are forgiven you. No rejection, no grumbling, no complaint from this man whatsoever, it would see He was thrilled with these these words… but the scribes… not so much. They were angered, rejecting such a thought in their minds… who does this man think He? Jesus reading their thoughts, chose to reveal His authority to forgive by instantly healing this crimpled man. His greatest miracle, in fact was not that He healed this man his disability, but that He pardoned and forgave this man His sins.
      In today’s passage, we see just how far Jesus will go to heal people of their sins. Is it just the unfortunate sinners who live in the “consequences” of their sins like the paralytic man. Is it cure just for those that make incredible efforts to get right with Jesus … going thru the roof of a building… that they may receive His pardon. Is it only for those whose sins are now less obvious, long past. Or is Jesus’ cure offered to many more.
      Let’s open now to Mark 2:13-17 to see what Jesus does.
      Mark 2:13–17 ESV
      He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
      There are three things that we want to note about our physician from this passage. The first thing we want to note is just how incredible the physician is. He’s not just a great physician because He offers a cure… but that He calls to us. We don’t first come calling to Him… We don’t first have to book an appointment… and like our earlier illustration, we don’t somehow have to get out of our own mess in order to meet with Him.… HE COMES TO US! He made the first move. Lets look at this first point together from verses 13-14.

      I. The Physician’s Call — (v. 13–14)

      A. He Comes to Us

      Jesus walks along the lake and is teaching the people.
      “As He passed by, He saw Levi”… Is this coincidental or is this purposeful… (I believe it was quite purposeful.)
      Who was Levi? (Matthew- Greek name- tax collector “at his tax booth”)
      Mark 1–8: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Call of a Social Outcast (2:13–14)

      Due to the Roman occupation of Israel, the Jewish people were required to pay taxes to Rome. In Galilee, the responsibility to collect those taxes fell to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch, who sold tax collection franchises to the highest bidder. Those who purchased a franchise were required to meet a minimum quota for Rome, while anything they collected beyond that was theirs to keep (cf.

      Rome drained the people dry with so many corrupt taxes even under threat of harm. Very few from Israel appreciated their occupation in the land. So for a tax collector to join with Rome in collecting these corrupt taxes was like betrayal. Anyone who did such a thing was labeled a traitor to their homeland.
      In fact, these who participated in such thing, were given a title much worse than even traitor but unclean. This meant several real serious things for them. As one commentator noted from Jewish writings...
      Mark 1–8: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Call of a Social Outcast (2:13–14)

      The Mishnah and Talmud (although written later) register scathing judgments of tax collectors, lumping them together with thieves and murderers. A Jew who collected taxes was disqualified as a judge or witness in court, expelled from the synagogue, and a cause of disgrace to his family (b. Sanh. 25b). The touch of a tax collector rendered a house unclean (m. Teh. 7:6; m. Hag. 3:6). Jews were forbidden to receive money and even alms from tax collectors since revenue from taxes was deemed robbery. Jewish contempt of tax collectors is epitomized in the ruling that Jews could lie to tax collectors with impunity (m. Ned. 3:4). (James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Mark, Pillar New Testament Commentary [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002], 83)

      These men weren’t just unclean for disease… like a leper… but they were unclean by an active choice. They chose to live this way. Isolating themselves from their nation and from their God.
      Matthew was one of them. And he was one very much despised by the people in that area since he was stationed at this tax booth. That meant that day in and day out, he was the face that everyone saw in Capernaum that stole and lied and bullied them into building up his own wealth, all thru the power and corruption of a wicked Rome.
      “Follow me.”
      Very similiar command and response as to the one Jesus gave to the 4 others disciples… Peter, Andrew, James, and John.
      Greek- combination of words- to be in the same road (path) with someone else… to accompany, to join, to side with
      Very odd in that world-
      Mark 1–8: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Call of a Social Outcast (2:13–14)

      No reputable rabbi would speak invitingly to a tax collector. Any association with such a despised member of Israelite society would be scandalous. Self-respecting Jewish people, and especially religious leaders, would never want a tax collector as an associate or follower.

      Yet, that never deterred Jesus from doing what He did. Because Jesus the physician, knew who He came to save. Sinners… including the ones that everyone else deemed off limits. The worst of the worst… untouchables.
      Application:
      Jesus meets us where we are — in our workplace, in our mess, in our sin.
      We don’t have to “clean up” before coming to Him; He initiates the relationship.
      “The Great Physician doesn’t wait for the sick to find Him — He finds them.” He enters our world, He convicts the world of sin thru the Holy Spirit, He draws us to Himself… in no way can we claim any part of being the answer to our problem. The illustration is best understood best that we are lying in bed dying.… and He came to us.
      So how did Matthew react to this, btw. Certainly Matthew knew of Jesus. His fame spread abroad everywhere. Did Matthew welcome the invitation? Was he willing for the doctor to heal Him? Absolutely… as can be seen in our next point...

      B. He Makes Us New

      There are two things that the text says about Matthew that indicate He fully understood what Jesus was offering.
      “And he rose and followed Him”
      Luke 5:27–28 ESV
      After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
      Mark 1–8: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Call of a Social Outcast (2:13–14)

      Matthew “left everything behind” to go with Jesus. He had been a man of the world, who had sold his soul for a lucrative career in a despised and dishonest profession. In that moment, Matthew was transformed from a tax-collecting lover of money into a Christ-following lover of God (cf.

      Like the 4 disciples, like the paralytic man. If someone understands truly that Jesus is God, then the only reasonable response is to rise and follow Him.
      That’s the power of Jesus’ cure. He comes to forgive sins, and make us new. He doesn’t pardon us and then we continue in the same path we did before. His salvation guarantees that our lives will look different. The curse, the disease of sin had its entire hold on us. Physically, emotional, spiritually, visually affecting us. But Jesus cure, just like that of the leper and that of the paralytic man… instantly produces a change in lives. And for Matthew, as well as for anyone that been given Christ’s forgiveness. Change begins to happen immediately.
      For Matthew, that change didn’t just look like leaving everything behind but also by.
      Inviting others into his home at his expense
      Luke 5:29 ESV
      And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.
      Doesn’t this show the genuiness of Matthew’s gratitude and excitement about what Jesus offered. So excited for Jesus that He wanted all his aquaintances and co-workers to also have an opportunity to meet with Jesus, even at His own expense.
      Notice how opposite this is to the crowds at Peter’s home… who wouldn’t even let a paralytic man pass thru to see Jesus. The crowd and hog space because they are all in it for themselves. But for a disciple of Jesus. It’s first and foremost about Christ. His glory and not my own. Therefore, everyone should come and see His splendor. Everyone should have the opportunity to meet and know Him. I’m no longer to hog Him, but I’m going to eagerly share Him with others. For a man who was formerly so greedy, His willingness to share His home, His food, His Savior is ample evidence of the power of God’s cure.
      Application
      How eager are you to share the greatest thing in your life. They say a joy shared is a joy doubled. That’s why we can’t help but talk to someone about the most exciting things in our lives with other people. New houses, better promotions, more children, new accomplishments, exciting sports events, latest books and movies.… we all talk about this with other people because they bring us great joy. But does Jesus bring us great joy? If so, who are we excited to share Him with?
      How grateful are you of Christ’s gift? Matthews hospitality is uniquely linked to the hospitality and kindness of His Savior. He was so grateful for what Christ did, that it was no sacrifice at all for him to open up His home and welcome people in.

      2. The Physician’s Presence — (v. 15)

      Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners — as we mentioned earlier… the people tax collectors associated with in the line ow work were of the criminal sort. Thieves, thugs, enforces, prostitutes and the like.
      For Jesus to share a meal with these people was a significant thing. In first century Israel, to have a meal together was more than just adding substance for the stomach. It was a symbol and a statement of acceptance and friendship.… that’s why the scribes and pharisees was so confounded in their minds.… this was an unthinkable act. They added to the law that made certain type of people unclean, and to do so would violate oral teaching. Jesus went on to show them a better way.
      His way wasn’t to symbolize that he was ok with their sin. That would give Him no reason to forgive or pardon it if that were true. But He the good doctor must be with those that are sick if He is to heal them. And even in that, they must see He is good, He is altogether trustworthy, that He can indeed provide for what they are lacking. Jesus presence before them shined His holiness. Not a fake holiness, like others… who liked to brag of their good deeds. But a holiness that is genuine and altogether beautiful. Contrasting with their own lives… they could see that they were nothing like Him. Gentle & lowly, good & loving, compassionate, yet wise and knowledgeable, perfect, caring Himself with confidence and authority. Spotless. Nothing could diminish His light in their midst.
      Application:
      Like Jesus, if we are gonna have any impact in the world, we must be amongst the sinners. Not a call to be like them, but to welcome them in as friends. To honor them in that way, and show them a new and holy way of life. That’s our calling. To be present with the hurting, not distant from them like the pharisees.
      Who are you reluctant to be around? Who do you deem to be “too gross” a sinner, that you would be unwilling to accept as a friend? Who would you never welcome into your home? If there is a name that comes to mind, repent.… give it to the Lord. Ask that He would make you more like Himself… and less like the scribes and Pharisees.

      3. The Physician’s Diagnosis — (v. 16–17)

      There are millions of different reasons people don’t go to see their doctors.
      One reason is that they feel fine. In America, it is reported that millions of people chose to skip their annual doctors checkup simply because they feel fine. Often enough though, feeling fine isn’t always the tell tale sign that you are fine. Lots of diseases grow silently in the body, until they have done enough damage to finally require us to go see a doctor. Those that put off seeing a doctor often do so to their own demise.
      Another reason people may not see their doctors is because of pride. Pride that says I don’t need anyone else knowing that I need help. Or pride that says that doctors don’t know what their doing. Of course, it is possible to have faulty doctors because they are human to.… but in general doctors have far more knowledge on health matters than we do. It can be pretty foolish to believe we know better than they do. To think our diagnosis of our own problems is more accurate then those who have dedicated their lives to knowing the body.
      When we think of Jesus, the great Physician… who is perfect and never gets it wrong… how do people treat His diagnosis? Oftentimes, people treat Jesus the same way they do their own doctors.
      But Jesus is the far greater doctor than those we have today. His diagnosis is far greater because first of all, as revealed in this passage.…

      A. He Knows Us Better Than We Do

      Mark 2:16–17 ESV
      And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
      Scribes never addressed the physician… yet he knew what they were saying.… (hadn’t they yet learned- can’t hide anything from JESUS.) How many times do we try to hide things from Jesus?
      Notice the progression of sin… kept quiet with the paralytic man, here they don’t confront Jesus directly.… but go to the disciples
      Why do they ask the disciples? (genuine question… doubt it since Jesus already addressed their evil hearts with the paralytic man.… most likely it was to cause trouble and bring in doubt to the disciples… to divide them)
      So Jesus diagnosis is greater because He knows us better than we know ourselves but also because His diagnosis is loving and perfect in truth.

      B. He Confronts Us with Loving & Perfect Truth

      Jesus response to such people that push back at His merciful mission is one of conviction. In fact, the gospel of Matthew records for us a few more of Jesus’ words.
      Matthew 9:12–13 ESV
      But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
      Mark 1–8: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Condemnation of the Savior (2:17)

      The phrase “go and learn” was a rabbinic expression used to rebuke foolish ignorance. The potency of that phrase would not have been lost on the scribes, who were rabbis themselves. The biblical quotation “I desire compassion, and not sacrifice” comes from

      Mark 1–8: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Condemnation of the Savior (2:17)

      Coldhearted legalism may look holy on the outside. But it does not please God who weighs thoughts and motives. In their unwillingness to show mercy to others, the Pharisees betrayed the corrupt condition of their stony hearts.

      The fact is, these scribes agreed with Jesus that these tax collectors were sick… Where they missed it was that they were sick too.
      It’s actually a unique paradox. Those that thought they were righteous wanted nothing to do with the most righteous one. But the most righteous one showed His righteousness by reaching out to aid the one’s deemed as the most unrighteous. Apparently part of being righteous is also being merciful. Pride does not befit someone who is righteous.
      The Lord’s analogy of the doctor exposed their hearts. Those who recognize they are sick are the ones that the doctor heals. Imagine in our beginning illustration. We lie helplessly in our beds… sick and the doctor comes to our door, but we don’t let Him in. Will we receive help from Him?
      God resisteth the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride blinds us to our spiritual sickness; but humility opens us to the cure. So the first step toward healing is admitting our need.
      Contrasting both Matthew and the scribes, you can clearly see that difference. Matthew did not seek out the savior, but revealed he understood his sickness when they doctor came to heal him. The scribes sought out Jesus, but rejected His offer of a cure… because they thought they didn’t need him.
      And that’s the difference in our lives… scribes can agree that people need repentance, they can acknowledge it, they can proclaim it.… but will they themselves live it. What about us… are we merely a “believer” of repentance, an “acknowledger/proclaimer” of repentance, or are we a “doer” of repentance.
      The church of Jesus Christ does not consist of perfect people but of forgiven people. People who’s former lives were desperately sick, but know the healing power of the Great Physician. And it is to that Great Physician that we still desperately cling to. We are now no less dependent of our great physician that we were on that day when He cured us.

      Conclusion — The Cure Is Available

      Summary: Jesus calls, sits with, and confronts the sin-sick.
      Challenge:
      Are you willing to admit your need?
      Does your life reflect the perfect healing of God?
      Do you judge and condemn the sick as a self-righteous one? Or do you meet with the sick to offer them hope like the Most Righteous One?

        • Mark 2:13–17ESV

        • Luke 5:27–28ESV

        • Luke 5:29ESV

        • Mark 2:16–17ESV

        • Matthew 9:12–13ESV

        First Baptist Church
        howardcitybaptist@gmail.com
        2319374809
        https://fbcohc-howard-city.faithlifesites.com
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