Theme: God's medicine of mercy

Exegetical note
Jesus' association with the despised (here, tax collectors and sinners) and his pronouncements about the need of the sick for a physician and God's desire for mercy all direct the reader's attention to the point that God's interest is not in the self-righteous (who may also be termed "the supposedly-righteous"), but to those who need God's "medicine" of mercy to make them "well."

Call to Worship
Leader: Let us trust in God's steadfast love
People:…