Sunday 14th June, Trinity 1
The Calling of Matthew
Scripture:
But when He heard this, He said, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13 (NIV)
I am sure that all of you have seen a stethoscope.
Who uses a stethoscope? That’s right, a doctor.
Have you ever been sick? Of course you have, we have all been sick at some time.
When you were sick, did you go to the doctor’s surgery or health centre, or did the doctor come to your house?
You probably went to the doctor’s surgery because that is the way it is done these days.
You might be surprised to know that at one time it was quite normal for doctors to make “house calls.”
The doctor would carry a little black bag filled with medical supplies and go to the homes of those who were sick.
That’s a good picture of what Jesus did when he was on earth.
He went where the people were — especially people who were hurting or had problems in their life.
One such person that Jesus ministered to was a tax collector by the name of Matthew.
Tax collectors were hated in Jesus’ day because they were often greedy and dishonest.
Jesus changed Matthew’s life and so then Matthew became one of Jesus’ disciples.
One day Jesus went to Matthew’s home to eat dinner with him. Many of Matthew’s old friends came there to listen to Jesus teach.
The religious leaders of the day were very displeased that Jesus was even talking to such people, much less eating with them!
They asked his disciples, “Why does your master eat with these sinners?”
Jesus heard them and answered, “It isn’t those that are well that need a doctor, it is those that are sick. I did not come to call the righteous. I came to call sinners to repentance.”
Just like our doctors once did, Jesus went to the homes of the people who needed him and he touched them and made them whole.
Who needs a doctor? The sick need a doctor.
I doubt there are very many people who have never needed a doctor.
Who needs Jesus? Sinners do!
Can you truthfully say that you have never sinned? No way!
The Bible tells us that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
That means we all need Jesus. We sometimes sit in our churches and wait for people to come to us so we can tell them about Jesus and his love.
We should be doing what Jesus did. We should be going out to where the people are and taking the good news of Jesus to them.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, help us to be willing to go to those who need you and tell them of your love.
Amen.
Activity 1: Colouring
Healing the Sick Colouring Page
Activity 2: Wordsearch
The Calling of Matthew Word Search