How do you Feel?

Matthew 9:12-13
(12)  But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
(13)  Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

(12) ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας εἶπεν, Οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν οἱ ἰσχύοντες ἰατροῦ ἀλλ' οἱ κακῶς ἔχοντες.

This is some more fun with participles.  The most wooden translation would be something like "Those who are continually well do not need a physician, but those who are having sickness.  This may be a little bit of an over-translation, but I do like to notice participles.

The point is that Jesus did not come for those who were basically well.  He cannot help you if you think that you're basically doing fine.  He can only help you if you realize that you are spiritually sick.  You don't necessarily need to understand the totality of your sickness, but you do need to know that you are sick.  Otherwise He can do nothing for you.

I'm talking to you religious people out there.  Do you think that you're basically righteous?  Are you adding Jesus as a little seasoning to what is otherwise a good life?  Or do you realize that you desperately need someone to reconcile you with a holy God?