Daily Devotional – Sunday, December 28, 2025
On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.’
Matthew 9:12 (NIV)
Picture yourself walking past a busy hospital entrance on a weekday morning. Stretchers roll by, nurses hurry through the doors, and families wait anxiously for news. No one stands outside complaining that the injured showed up. Everyone understands that this is where hurting people belong. A hospital exists because sickness exists, and healing begins when the unwell come close to help.
Where Sinners Find Healing
That simple picture helps us understand something important about church. Yet every so often people ask why sinners attend church at all. Others look around and notice leaders and members who are clearly imperfect and then wonder why God allows flawed people near Him. This reaction may sound modern, but it is actually very old.
Jesus faced the same criticism. After calling Levi Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him, Jesus shared a meal with people known for their sin. The Pharisees questioned His disciples about why He spent time with such people. Their thinking was simple. If someone is truly holy, they should avoid those who are morally broken.
Where the Injured Gather
Jesus responded by explaining His mission using the language of healing. He reminded them that healthy people do not seek out a doctor, but sick people do. Sin is a sickness of the soul, and separation from God is its deepest symptom.
So, when you see broken people in church, do not be surprised. They are exactly where they should be. If you feel weighed down by sin yourself, do not pull away from Jesus. Move closer. He came to restore, forgive, and heal. Staying near the Great Physician is how real change begins.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I admit my need for You. I choose to remain close to You, trusting You for forgiveness, healing, and renewal in my life.
