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AUTHORITY TO CALL THE LEAST (MARK 2:13-17)

REFLECTION
The theme for our reflection is the “Authority to call the least” Authority means having the power or right to make decisions. To be called means to be saved and chosen for God’s purpose and glory through Jesus Christ. The least means to be the smallest of significance according to a particular standard of measurement or consideration. Authority to call the least means that Jesus has the power to save and appoint people others consider insignificant for God’s purpose and glory. We shall reflect on the fact that Jesus has the authority to call the least or save those considered to be sinners.

Beloved in the Lord, Jesus’ mission on earth is to save those who are considered the least because of their sins. He did not come to associate with those who consider themselves to be religiously upright simply because they have meticulously followed the law. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:15-17) In other words, Jesus told them that He has the authority to call those who consider themselves great, sinless and righteous but He has elected to graciously exercise His authority by calling the least who are sinners and are desirous to repent and be saved. It is for this reason Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s Prophesy when He read ““The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, ¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:18-19). It is for this reason that Jesus made it emphatically clear to the self-righteous and judgemental Pharisees, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17).

Beloved in the Lord, the only way we can also be saved by Dr Jesus is when we come to a realisation that we are part of the least because of our sins. “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind, our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6). Again, we are reminded in Roman 3:23-24 that “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Paul was called because He acknowledged that he was the least and worst of all sinners and needed salvation from Jesus the great physician of those who are spiritually and morally sick. Paul gave a testimony of his salvation and call as the worst or least among sinners when he wrote “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners —of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:12-15) Indeed, Jesus has assured us that ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:3,6).

Dear friend in the Lord, to prove to Jesus that we are part of the least who are willing to be saved and called, we must not be like “The Pharisee who stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ (Luke 18:11-12). In the spirit of repentance and humility, let us be like “…the tax collector who stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ (Luke 18:13). Jesus said, “I tell you that this man (the repentant sinner), rather than the other (the self-righteous pharisee), went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14). If we consider ourselves the least among sinners and worthy of the salvation of our Lord Jesus, then, we must humble ourselves as nonentities before the Lord, for “…God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not —to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-31). Let us not look down on others thinking that we are more righteous than them but let us approach the Lord with humility, always reminding ourselves that we have been saved by grace. Once upon a time we were lost but have been found, again, we were dead to sin but Jesus restored us to life. We must possess the love of Jesus to be able to welcome our brothers and sisters who are among the lost sheep. We must continue to preach the Good News so that through us Jesus will continue to call the least into His Kingdom. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Authority to call the least” We have discovered that Jesus has the authority to call the least or save those considered to be sinners. It is, for this reason, that He assures us that “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17). Let us humble ourselves through repentance and come to Jesus our merciful Saviour. Shalom.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that we are unworthy before You because of our sins of omission and commission. We count ourselves among the least and humbly pray for Your forgiveness and restoration. We surrender our lives to You and we pray for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and direct our path to live a life that is worthy of our calling and salvation. Amen.