Jesus the Great Physician
Matthew 9:10-13 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. (11) When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” (12) On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. (13) But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
In sales and marketing, understanding the concept of a “Target Market” is critical for success. While many small businesses want to believe that “everyone” can use their product or service, there is ALWAYS an ideal customer. Identifying that ideal customer allows the advertising to be tailored to attract that specific buyer for maximum effectiveness.
While the “product or service” that Jesus offers is certainly available and beneficial to every single person in the world, Jesus still has a “Target Market”. And in our text today, He identifies them. They are not who one would expect. In fact, they are the exact opposite of the expected.
Who would you EXPECT to be the “target market” of Jesus? The religious leaders of the day: The Pharisees, Scribes, Priests and the like. Obvious right? So who does Jesus say is his “Target Market”? Tax Collectors and ‘Sinners’. How does Jesus make sense of this?
Jesus describes two categories of people: The Healthy and the Sick. Being a Spiritual ‘Doctor’, it is only the sick that will have motivation to hear what he has to say and the courage to make the necessary adjustments in life to heed his words.
The real question is: Which category do you see yourself in? Are you healthy or sick? The Great Physician can save you from what ails you…But you have to be willing to listen and then be willing to take the prescription that Jesus offers.
Reflecting the SON,
Dennis Hogan
Questions, comments or further explanation? Contact me at: dennis.hogan@icloud.com
No comments:
Post a Comment