No Need of a Physician

Luke 5:27-39
We have in this passage a key glimpse into why Jesus had come into this world, and a sobering reminder of the dangers of missing it completely because of pride and self-dependency contained within religion.  The Pharisees have just witnessed Jesus heal a man both physically and spiritually (vs. 20-25).  He has even met their claims and doubts as to his being the Son of God, validating his testimony according to their own standards (vs. 21-25).  They are amazed and in awe, even glorifying God (vs. 26), and yet they have still missed it completely.  Their true hearts are revealed in the next verses.  When Jesus calls a tax collector into his ministry and begins to fellowship with the like, these same Pharisees begin to criticize (vs. 30).  They have just witnessed his miracles and seen his authority and power, but their religious arrogance still grips their hearts.  Jesus may have power to heal but stooping so low as to congregate with sinners is too much.  But Jesus gives a scathing assessment of their thoughts, saying that he has come for people like this, the sick and sinful, while he has not come for people like the Pharisees, the religious, the well and sinless (vs. 31-32).  You see the Pharisees, the religiously devout of the day, did not see their need for a healer or a forgiver because they had their religion that kept them pure.  They had law to guide them, what need did they have for Jesus?  This is the warning that Jesus gives them here and also in verses 34-39.  The Pharisees wonder why Jesus, if he is the Son of God, does not adhere to the norms of religion, including fasting and praying (vs. 33).  Jesus informs them that now is a time to celebrate.  The old is fading, the new is coming (vs. 34), and when the new has come the old will no longer be compatible and therefore worthless and damning (vs. 36-39).  The Pharisees still clung to Old Testament Law (religion) as their means of righteousness which blinded them to the righteousness of Jesus and their vital and desperate need of him.  They did not see their need to be healed of their infirmity of sinfulness because they saw themselves as pure already due to their legalism.  They could not embrace the life of Jesus while they clung to the death of the Law (vs. 39).  They had witnessed incredible things that Jesus did, being amazed and in awe, even coming from great distances to see him (vs. 17) and yet completely missed his whole purpose for coming: to heal the ill.  The pride and arrogance of their legalism resulting from their religious and traditional adherence blinded them to their critical condition and their only hope of real life.  Jesus plainly told them this and yet they couldn't understand it, didn't want to understand it.  The religious ignored it while the sinners embraced it.  One group experienced life while the other missed life.  What about us?  Are we so religious and arrogant to think we have no need of a physician or are we continually drawn to Jesus to heal us?  Paul, although doing mighty things, never forgot his condition (I Timothy 1:15-16).  Have we quickly forgotten?  Have we begun to view ourselves and others as the Pharisees did (vs. 30, 33)?  Are we blinded by our religion and tradition?  It was the religious that condemned and crucified Jesus and stand condemned themselves.  Jesus has ushered in relationship ending rules and regulations, essentially religion (Colossians 2:20-22; Romans 7:6).  And one cannot have a mixture or combination, it is one or the other.  Which do we have?  Religion or relationship?  The Pharisees knew Jesus, listened to Jesus, learned from Jesus and yet refused to let go of their law, take up their cross and follow him, giving up everything they have.  Have we done the same?  Are we content to listen and learn and yet not follow him but follow our own rules and standards we have set?  Which most resembles us: Luke 9:23-27, 57-62; Luke 14:25-33 or Mark 10:17-22; Matthew 23?