Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 2:15-17

"And it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, [How is it] that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." — Mark 2:15-17 (ASV)

For ordinary Christians, associating with those who are like the publicans and sinners of Christ's day might be dangerous, for evil communications corrupt good manners; and Christians should be careful about the company they keep; but for Christians to go among such people to try to do them good is Christlike.

The Church of Christ always fails in her duty when she regards any class of people as beneath her notice or as too far gone for her to reach. Our Lord's mission was to find out, and to supply the needs of mankind, and He seems to have paid particular attention to the very worst of men because they needed Him most; and His Church should always be guided in her choice of work by the necessity of those who need her care.

And brothers, you and I, who are in the ministry, will do well to choose not that sphere in which we may be most happy and comfortable, but that one in which we are most needed. If I were a lamp and had my choice of where I would be hung, I should prefer to be hung up in the darkest place in London, where I could be of most service. And I think that every one of us would make just such a choice if we judged rightly, and desired to be where we were wanted and to do as the Savior did when He was on earth.