Universal Utterings
for January 17, 2026
A Godcast
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01-17-2026 Mark 2 v1317 I Did Not Come To Call The Righteous But Sinners
The Gospel of Mark Chapter 2 Verse 13 thru 17
13 Once again he went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. 14 As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 15 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. 16 Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 Jesus heard this and said to them [that], “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
In Mark 2:13-17, Jesus demonstrates His mission to reach those in need of spiritual healing. He calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him, and soon finds Himself dining with Levi and other sinners. This act of mingling with the marginalized and outcasts of society raises eyebrows among the Pharisees, who question why He associates with such individuals. Jesus responds with profound wisdom: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
In this declaration, Jesus emphasizes that His purpose is to bring salvation to those who recognize their need for it. The “physician” metaphor highlights His role as a healer—both physically and spiritually. The sick, in their awareness of their ailments, symbolize all of humanity’s fallen nature, acknowledging that we are all in need of redemption. By admitting our sinfulness, we open the door to healing and grace.
It’s crucial for us to recognize that we are all sinners. This acknowledgment is not an act of despair but one of liberation. When we confess our shortcomings, we free ourselves from the bondage of pride and self-righteousness, which only serve to separate us from God. Embracing our identity as sinners allows us to fully grasp the depths of His love and mercy.
Jesus’ invitation is clear: He is here for us when we are lost, broken, and in desperate need of His grace. This commitment to admitting our faults leads to true freedom and a path towards eternal salvation. As we turn to Him, we find hope and healing, affirming His promise that no one is beyond the reach of His love. Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
01-17-2026 Mark 2 v1317
**I Did Not Come To Call The Righteous But Sinners**
In the heart of Capernaum’s lanes,
Where crowds gather, hope remains,
A teacher walks with purpose true,
Beneath the sky of sapphire blue.
He steps by booths where traders dwell,
And calls a man named Levi well,
“Follow me,” His voice rang clear,
A light for hearts once cloaked in fear.
From tax collector, scorned and shunned,
To disciple, in grace he’s won,
The social outcast, now embraced,
In Jesus’ love, he finds his place.
With feasts and laughter, hearts entwined,
Sinners gather, love defined,
Yet whispers rise among the wise,
“Why eat with those the world despise?”
But the Teacher, calm and bold,
Speaks of mercy, truth untold,
“I’ve come for those who know their need,
For healing souls, the lost, the freed.”
In shadows cast by judgment’s glare,
His compassion breaks through every snare,
For in the bond of love’s embrace,
We find our worth, we find our place.
So let us heed the call today,
To open hearts, to pave the way,
To welcome those whom others fear,
In grace and love, let us draw near.
For in each soul, a story shines,
Reflecting light, the love divine.
In every call, in every prayer,
Jesus waits, His arms laid bare. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
January 17, 2026 @ 04:59 AM EST
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**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using GodFirstforJesus@gmail.com, or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**
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