HE CAME FOR YOU

The Pharisees thought it disgraceful that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. Their self-righteous rules of conduct dictated that no teacher called by God would keep company with these dregs of society. 

When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Matthew 9:12-13 

Jesus is not implying that the Pharisees were righteous. When we remove the irony from Christ’s statement, the verse might read, “I haven’t come to call on those who think they’re righteous, but to treat those who know they’re not.”

The tax collectors and sinners longed for God’s healing forgiveness. They are 'the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness' (Matthew 5:3, 5-6)

On the other hand, the Pharisees refused to see any need to repent. Though flawless in their execution of religious rituals and sacrifices, they did not appreciate the 'spirit of the law' ... that of demonstrating God’s kindness, compassion, and mercy toward the outcasts in the world. 

MacArthur - The scribes and Pharisees had badly misunderstood God’s purpose in giving the law. He did not give the law as a means of achieving self-righteousness, but to provoke self-condemnation, awareness of sin, conviction, repentance, and pleading to God for mercy.

Jesus presented Himself as a 'physician' for the spiritually sick. When doctors call on those who are ill, they get close and personal in order to help. Christ's love for lost mankind compelled Him to come to earth, take on the likeness of man, and have dust on His feet ... 

Knowles - The Pharisees prove their religion by keeping clean. Jesus proves his love by getting dirty. 

Jesus did not leave heaven to pat self-righteous people on the back and ignore those who fail. He came to rescue you. 'I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance'. 

See the world the way Jesus did and follow His example. He reached out to prostitutes and criminals; the afflicted, diseased, and abused. We are to befriend those who've been judged as 'good-for-nothing' and introduce them to a Savior who loves them.