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Gospel Reading for January 17, 2026 – Mark 2: 13-17
CHANCE
Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
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Jesus was a magnet for sinners, not because he was one of them, but because his compassionate and understanding nature drew them to him.
Because we are made in God’s image and likeness, we can never be comfortable doing things against God, precisely because in reality, when we sin, we go against ourselves. It is also this image and likeness that makes us want to be reconciled to God, given the CHANCE. They saw that CHANCE in Jesus.
How about us? Do we give people the CHANCE to redeem or change themselves? Or, are we like the scribes and Pharisees who love to label others as sinners to make themselves look holy and better than others?
Lord Jesus, teach us to be like you – compassionate and understanding, always giving the CHANCE for others, especially the people who have wronged us, to change!
