Who Needs a Doctor?

Children's Sermon: Who Needs a Doctor? (Matthew 9:12-13)

I’m sure that all of you have seen one of these before. Can anyone tell me what this is? (Pause for response.) That’s right, it’s a stethoscope! Who uses a stethoscope? (Pause for response.) Oftentimes when we’re sick or not feeling well, we go to the doctor’s office to get checked out. They might use a stethoscope like this one, or they might write you a prescription for some medication.

There was a time when instead of going to the doctor when you were sick, the doctor would come to you instead. The doctor would carry a little black bag filled with medical supplies and go to the homes of those who were sick.

That's what Jesus did when He was here on earth. He went to where the people were—especially people who were hurting or had problems in their life. One of the people that Jesus went out and ministered to was a tax collector by the name of Matthew. Tax collectors were hated in Jesus' day because they were often greedy and dishonest.

Jesus changed Matthew's life and he became one of Jesus' disciples. Here’s what happened.

One day Jesus went to Matthew's home to eat dinner with him. Many of Matthew's old friends came there to listen to Jesus teach. The religious leaders of the day were very displeased that Jesus was even talking to such people, much less eating with them!

They asked His disciples, "Why does your master eat with these sinners?"

Jesus heard them and answered, "It isn't those that are healthy that need a doctor, it is those that are sick. I did not come to call the righteous. I came to call sinners to repentance." Just like our doctors once did, Jesus went to the homes of the people who needed Him and He touched them and made them whole.

Who is someone who might need a doctor? (Pause for response.) The sick need a doctor. Is there anyone here who has never been sick? Of course not, so we all need a doctor! Who needs Jesus? (Pause for response.) Everyone does! Is there anyone here who has never sinned? No way! The Bible tells us that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That means we all need Jesus. We sometimes sit in our churches and wait for people to come to us so we can tell them about Jesus and His love. Instead, we need to be doing what Jesus did. We should be going where the people are and taking the good news of Jesus to them.

Dear Jesus, help us to be willing to go to those who need You and tell them of Your love. Amen.