May 30, 2019 -- Matthew 9:10-13 -- Jesus our Physician

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.  And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:10-13 ESV

What an important description of Jesus: Physician. There are times we know we are sick and in need of help. However, there are many times we have no idea of the infections or diseases working their destructive power in us until our symptoms are full-blown and our prognosis is grim. That is the picture of the Pharisees-the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They thought they were fine—but Jesus, the Physician diagnosed the sin-sickened condition of their hearts, minds and souls. They were unaware of the contagion they carried, the virus of sin working its destructive power from the inside out. Yet in their ignorance they were looking down their noses on the people who knew they were riddled with sin and longing for healing.

What is worse: knowing you are sick and in need of healing or thinking you are fine while in fact you are sick? Jesus, by His words to the Pharisees, shows us it is the latter. It is far worse to think you are fine while in fact you are carrying the soul-destroying sickness of sin.

Thankfully Jesus is our Physician. By His sacrifice on the cross, He took the punishment for our sins. Those who believe on Jesus have their sins forgiveness. This is the cure for our mortal sin-illness. Those who are healed by the Great Physician, Jesus, in turn show love and kindness to others. We are transformed from the inside out.

Can Jesus the Physician heal our physical diseases? Yes. That, however, is not our greatest need. Our greatest need is to have the very deepest part of our mind, our heart and our soul cleansed from the curse of sin. Those who are healed in the deepest inmost part are heirs to life in Jesus Christ. Our Great Physician rescues us from the sickness of sin that leads to hell. He heals us so that whatever physical, mental, emotional or social ills we struggle against can be used for our sanctification—the process of making us holy. While the spiritual, cancerous infection of sin, is healed so that we new life begins in us now and unfolds fully in eternal life.

Consider Revelation 22. There those healed by Jesus enter eternal life. There in His Paradise we see the tree of life—the leaves of this tree are for the healing of the nations. What a beautiful picture that is. I don’t know what burdens you bear today, or what crisis looms, but know this: Jesus is the Great Physician. He can work salvation into the every cell of your being so that your eyes see His glory and your heart rejoices in His mercy and your soul will endure whatever this life throws at you because it has the vision of that eternal shore where Christ is worshiped and sin and sickness will be no more.

Turn to Jesus and ask Him: “Great Physician heal me.” And Jesus will take away the curse of your sins and lead you in life that is full and awesome. Be aware it is hard work to follow Jesus—you will be striving against the patterns of the world. Jesus was mocked and abused. So His followers also will experience rejection and trials. The promise of our Physician is the healing He brings will lead us through this life to eternity in His healing presence.

Jesus, Physician, heal me. To the places within me I don’t even know are rotten with the sickness of sin, please bring the medicine of Your saving grace. And as I experience Your healing help me to be kind and patient with those who don’t even know the extent of their sickness. By the vitality You bring, may my life bring such honour to Your Name that siblings, neighbours, co-workers and friends will ask, wanting to know the name of the Physician Who brought such a change. Thank You for the power of Your healing. Amen.