Marcos 2:17

DISCOURSE: 1419
THE WHOLE AND THE SICK, THE RIGHTEOUS AND SINNERS, DESCRIBED

Marcos 2:17. They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

THERE is no action, however benevolent, which cavillers may not censure. Every part of our Lord’s conduct was worthy of his divine character; yet was he constantly “enduring the contradiction of sinners,” &c. He was now conversing familiarly with publicans for their good. This was condemned by the Scribes as unbecoming a holy person, if not also as giving countenance to sin. Our Lord vindicated himself on principles acknowledged by them.
His words contain,

I. A generally established maxim—

Persons desire not a physician unless they be sick. This is true according to its literal import—

[A person in health wishes not for any medical assistance: he would refuse it if it were tendered to him; he would not submit to any regimen that should be prescribed. But they who are diseased are glad to hear of a skilful physician: they will cheerfully put themselves under his direction; and they will follow his prescriptions, that they may obtain a cure.]
It is more particularly so in a figurative sense—

[There is an analogy between sickness and sin: this is a disorder of the soul as that is of the body. A person unconscious of his sinfulness desires not a Saviour; nor will he comply with the self-denying directions given him. But one who feels his lost state longs earnestly for a cure: he delights to hear of Christ, and to make application to him; nor does he esteem any injunction too severe [Note: 1 João 5:3.]

This being acknowledged, our Lord proceeds to make,

II.

An application of it to his own conduct—

The physician’s office leads him to converse with the sick. Our Lord’s work required him to maintain an intercourse with sinners.
There are many who conceive themselves to be “righteous”—
[None are absolutely and perfectly righteous [Note: None by nature, Jó 14:4; Jó 15:14. None by practice, Romanos 3:10; Romanos 3:12; Romanos 3:23.], but many suppose that their sins are neither great nor numerous. Such were the Scribes and Pharisees whom our Lord addressed [Note: Lucas 18:9; Lucas 18:11]; and there are many of this description in every age [Note: Provérbios 30:12.]

Such persons were not so much the objects of our Lord’s attention—
[He “willed indeed that all should come to repentance [Note: 2 Pedro 3:9.],” but he knew that they would not receive his offers; they saw no need of the salvation which he came to accomplish; their pride and prejudice unfitted them for receiving it. He therefore bestowed less labour in calling them to repentance.]

But there are many of more ingenuous disposition—
[They are not really more heinous “sinners” than others, but they are made sensible of their guilt and danger. Such was the publican at whose house our Lord was, and such are to be found in every place.]
To call these to repentance was the great object of Christ’s ministry—
[These were prepared, like thirsty ground for the rain; to them he was a welcome messenger; they rejoiced to hear that repentance could profit them; and our Lord delighted to encourage their hopes [Note: Lucas 4:18.]

Thus did his conduct accord with the dictates of reason, and with the great ends of his mission.

Infer—
1.

The danger of self-righteousness—

[Men feel of themselves the danger of gross sin; but they cannot be persuaded that they will suffer any thing by self-righteousness. But a person who, under dying circumstances, denies his need of help, as effectually destroys himself, as if he drank poison or plunged a dagger to his heart. Deny not then your need of the heavenly Physician; nor think to heal yourselves by any self-righteous methods. You must resemble the publican, if ever you would enjoy his lot [Note: Lucas 18:13.]

2. The folly of unbelief—

[We are apt to make the depth of our misery a reason for despondency; but the doubting of the Physician’s power will be as destructive to the soul, as the denying of our need of him. O behold the remedy! Are you sick [Note: Jeremias 8:22.]?—sinners [Note: 1 Timóteo 1:15.]?— lost [Note: Lucas 19:10.]? Christ suits his promises to your state; He addresses himself to each [Note: João 5:6.], nor shall any suppliant be disappointed [Note: João 6:37.]