Luke 5:32 – Verse of the Day 8/18/14

According to one recent study, 90% of people think they are smarter than average. It does not take a math genius to figure out there is a problem there. Apparently we human beings have a tendency to think we are better than we really are. This was definitely the case of the religious leaders in Jesus day, but are we any different?

Jesus made this statement after he ate with Matthew at his house and called him to be a disciple. At that time, tax collectors were viewed with extreme skepticism as a result of their dubious collection practices. As a result, the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders challenged Jesus with the question, “Why do you eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” This verse is Jesus’ answer to that question.

Although we would like to associate ourselves with other characters in this story, perhaps even Matthew, much of the time our attitude is more like that of the disciples. Spend some time in prayer, humbly asking the Lord to help you to see your own need for Him. Ask the Lord to make you aware of your sin, in order that you can experience His forgiveness. Thank the Lord for the love He has shown to sinners like us.