A SAINT HAS THE PAST AND A SINNER HAS THE FUTURE

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke5:30-32) What Jesus said boiled down to three questions: Who needed a doctor (v 31 "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick")? Who did Jesus call? (v 32a "I have not come to call the righteous...")? And what was required (32b "sinners to repentance")?Who needs a doctor? You don't have to be religious, but you've got to recognize what your condition is, who can help you, and why you need help. Who is Jesus calling today? Not those who have the answers, but those who are looking for answers. What is required? Salvation is available to all who are willing to turn from sin and turn to God.Levi had the right approach. Jesus commended and defended him. Like his master, Levi was not bothered by what others thought, what they noticed, and what they said of those who came. Sinners needed the gospel, the opportunity was present, and Jesus had come to save sinners.