11/03/2018
Is there a doctor in the house!? Is there a doctor in the house!? These are words we all dread to hear, and especially if they are being called out on our behalf, but when Jesus came into the world that was exactly who He was; he was the good doctor who had come to heal us of our sins, and pull us back from the brink of death! Do you need a doctor? Do you need Him to come running into the room to treat you... to pull you back from death’s door?
“And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."”
Mark 2:16-17 ESV
Jesus is a healer... when He heals bodies we call Him a miracle worker, but when He heals lost souls we call Him Messiah, and the Son of God. As a miracle worker He was simply an oddity to the scribes and the Pharisees, but as the healer of souls and a sanctifier of sinners... the Son of God... He frightened the daylights out of them! Paul realized who He truly was and confirmed his belief in his writing..,
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV
Paul had just run through a long list of sinful behaviors, calling out nearly everyone in his presence by their actions, before at last saying “And such were some of you”, then giving them hope in the sanctification of Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit. Are we one of those who identifies ourself as a sinner, or are we one that hears Paul speak and believes we are one of those in the crowd that is already sanctified? Are we calling out “Is there a doctor in the house!?” And excluding ourselves from needing him, or, do we realize that we too are in need of healing... of the great physician? Do we end our call for help with the words “We need help here!” Do we call for others, or for ourselves as well?
“...For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”
Romans 3:22-24 ESV
Paul was an amazing man... he was a healer of bodies through the power of the Holy Spirit, and had he remained simply a healer of bodies they would have constructed a statue to him, but when he introduced Jesus Christ, the Son of God, then he frightened not only scribes and Pharisees, but Kings and Emperors.
“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”
Acts 19:11-12, 20 ESV
Paul performed extraordinary miracles, and healed bodies, but Jesus through him continued to heal souls, and sanctify sinners... this was what frightened those in temples, and upon thrones; it wasn’t the physical, but rather the spiritual. When what is inside a person is changed, and their spirits healed, then the very foundations of the world are shaken, and those in power become frightened, and made irrelevant. This is who Jesus represents to those who sit in high places, and don’t see themselves as sick with sin.
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.”
Matthew 2:1-4, 16 ESV
Such is the fear of Jesus, and this when He was yet a child. How much more today when He is seen saving sinners, and promising to return to claim His throne? Those who fear Him are but dried up bones...
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22 ESV
But to those who know Jesus, and believe there is life, and rivers of living water...
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"”
John 7:37-38 ESV
So we call out for Him still, and our voices echo across the earth... “Is there a doctor in the house!?” And we fall to our knees before Him... for a single touch of His garment.
“And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."”
Luke 5:31-32 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, the great physician, and the healer of my soul. Thank you for sending Him, the Messiah, into the world to redeem me, and to cause the foundations of human power to quake. Great is He, Holy Father, and great are you who sends Him in all His goodness, and humility. Before Him the prideful are convicted, and the wise fall dumb to their knees. Before Him all the nations will bow, and pay homage, but for those who claim to be without sin, I weep. There is none save Jesus, who stands before you, that is without sin, and none who can claim to be pure without first being washed clean by His precious blood. Praised be Your Son, Holy Father, and greater is your grace and mercy that He holds in His hands. Help me Lord to brush against His cloak that I might be healed of my sinfulness. Help me Merciful Father to taste the living water He offers. Help me to sip from His cup, and taste the bread of His body. Forgive me Father for I have sinned, and cleanse me through the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and great is your mercy and grace. Yours is the hand that heals, and the throne that reigns forever in mercy and grace.
“And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.
For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well."
And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."”
Mark 5:25-26, 28, 34 ESV
Rich Forbes