Kingdom Question: Who Is Righteous?
Pastor Jamie Self - 2/1/2026
Jesus reveals that true righteousness is not found in self-perception or religious performance, but in repentance and relationship with Him as the divine physician and bridegroom. Through the calling of Levi and the imagery of the feast, garments, and wineskins, Jesus declares that His kingdom is a new, transformative reality that cannot be contained by old religious systems. This new covenant invites the spiritually sick to healing, the outcast to intimacy, and the sinner to celebration through grace alone.
Weekly Reflection
“I've not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”
Jesus brings a new kingdom. He gives new hearts and prepares a new feast. When He calls someone to follow Him, He calls them to leave everything and trust fully in the righteousness He provides.
We often miss the joy of grace because we still believe we’re doing well on our own. But Jesus gathers sinners at His table to make them whole. His kingdom is not an upgrade to our old way of life—it is a new creation for those who know their need and come to Him for healing. That’s why Levi left his post and prepared a feast. The King had come, and with Him came mercy, restoration, and a new way of belonging.
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This Week’s Challenge:
Do I believe I am the sick Jesus came to heal or do I still act like I’m well enough on my own?
Action Step: This week, identify one area where you're tempted to prove your worth to God. Confess it in prayer. Then celebrate grace: set aside time to rejoice in the gospel, maybe even with a meal, as a taste of the coming feast.
Scripture:
Luke 5:27–39