Hovering over a few verses in Mark this morning (Mark 2:13-17). Pretty well known, it portrays a picture of a bunch of people around a dining table in a tax collector’ house — a tax collector, Levi, who has become a follower of Jesus.

At the table? More tax collectors along with a bunch of other sinners of various sorts. Oh yeah, and Jesus and His disciples are there too.

Watching over Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners? The scribes of the Pharisees. People of the word. Religious, upstanding people. Literally upstanding, as in standing up. The text seems to indicate they were observing rather than partaking. Looking down at the table rather than across it. And they’re bothered seeing this supposed rabbi breaking bread with these well-known reprobates. So, they ask a question, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

And, as I try to imagine the scene, I gotta ask my own question, “Am I in the room?”

Well, if I want to be where Jesus is, then I better be in the room? Okay. So, then who am I in that room?

Well, I’m certainly not Jesus. That narrows it down. So, I’m either eating at the table or I’m standing apart from the table judging the table. Don’t want to think of myself as a pharisaical, bible know-it-all, so that leaves only one place left. I must be at the table.

But am I?

And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

(Mark 2:17 ESV)

Those at the table are those who have need of a physician. Not those who once had a need. Not those who, at one point in their lives, had booked an appointment with the doctor, took the medicine of the gospel and said a sinner’s prayer, but never really saw the need to go back again. No, those at the table are those who are sick. Not the righteous, but sinners. Not ex-sinners, but sinning sinners.

Jerry Bridges, concluding his book on “The Blessing of Humility”, presses the point that “the gospel is only for sinners”, and so if we are going to continue to appropriate the gospel, we need to come to it “as still-practicing sinners” (Kindle p.93). Being at the table with Jesus, day in and day out, means being in desperate need for Jesus, day in and day out.

Though we have been declared righteous in standing, we shouldn’t think ourselves as standing above the table. Instead, we need to bear a readiness and willingness for repentance until our actual state “catches up” to our standing (even so, Lord Jesus come!).

Thank God for a place at the table! It’s available to tax collectors and sinners. It’s even available to self-righteous scribes. The great Physician invites all who are sick, “Come, take your place at the table.”

What amazing grace! To God be the glory.