Mark 2:17

Mk 2:17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

The “righteous” Pharisees accused Jesus of not keeping himself separate from sinners.  Jesus’ crime then was that He was a friend of sinners.  This morning I am seeing the irony in the meaning of the word “Pharisee”. It means separated one”.  The Pharisees separated themselves from what THEY considered to be unholy.  Tragically, this included Jesus, the beloved Son of God. They were separated from the love of God by their own self-declared righteousness.

Malachi 3:7 - Yet from the days of your fathers. You have gone away from My ordinances. And have not kept them.
Return to Me, and I will return to you,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
“But you said,
‘In what way shall we return?’(of what shall we repent?)

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him. —Prov 26:12

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Let not the foot of pride come against me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the workers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been cast down and are not able to rise.—Ps 36:7-12