Luke 5:27-32
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 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?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:27-32 (NIV)
“Is church a hospital for sinners or a showcase for saints?”
I am not exactly sure when I first heard this question. I do know it was in conversation with my dad many years ago. I don’t even recall the context of that conversation but it is a question that I have pondered at random times ever since.
So in search of answers to salvage clarity from my confusion I wonder, how does the world, the internet, or AI view this question?
Generally as a challenge. A challenge to our beliefs as Christians versus our actions as God’s people. Are we seen to truly walk our walk or mostly just talk the talk.
I feel that a biblical Christian perspective implies we each need the church as a hospital at some point in our lives. A place to go where one can recover from something that has gone wrong in their lives. Sin. When it comes to needing a doctor for our sin, we need Christ, the Great Physician, on a regular basis. Church, through the formality of liturgy and purpose of process, can be a place for one’s honest reflection, confession, repentance and hopefully healing and growth.
But as individualistic as that sounds, we know that a hospital is comprised of a whole healthcare team to help diagnose, heal and prevent further injury or disease. This is precisely why God, through the Bible, tells us that it is good to gather with others. Just as Jesus did. Church is a good place to find Him and worship Him in the community of other believers. As people of God we can help and encourage each other. Our sins and problems are varied in complexity and volume but yet consistent in landing short of God’s glory. This is where the example that we can be to others is a way of following Christ’s example. The ability to be a shining light of our faith in Christ. We can be “seen” with sinful flaws and spiritual strengths alike.
The healing power of Christ and his followers, the Church, can help us be consistent in behaviour and message. Walk it like you talk it so others see it like you say it. Challenge accepted.
Questions for Reflection:
- How do you typically view your time spent in Church? For growth or healing?
- What are you doing so that others see Christ’s example in you?
Prayer:
Good and gracious God, Thank you for all you do to make us whole when we are broken. Thank you for the gift of salvation from sin through Jesus. Thank you for the gift of the people in our lives who provide love, support and encouragement in difficult times. Help us to be the kind of people whose words and actions let others know that we are your people. Amen
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