Monday, 30 June 2014

Our Great Physician



When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
—Mark 2:17


It's worth noting that every person Jesus had conversations or contact with was in a different situation, and He dealt with each one differently. This is because He recognized that even though we all share many of the same problems and basic needs, every man, woman, and child is a unique individual, with unique needs.

In His encounters with people, Jesus was like a physician. He basically said, "I want to let you know that I didn't come to bring the righteous to repentance, but I came to bring sinners because those who are whole don't need a physician."

I think the hard thing about being a doctor must be seeing people, for the most part, only when they are sick! They usually don't have their patients stop by and say, "Hey, Doc, I'm feeling good, and I just wanted to tell you that. Want to go to lunch?" You don't usually call your doctor when you're feeling at the top of your game. You call when you are feeling sick, and your doctor will have you come in to his or her office, examine you, and apply the specific remedy to the area of need.

Jesus is the Great Physician. He came to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, give sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. He already has determined your precise areas of need, whatever they may be, and He will minister to you as an individual.

Free from Fear



DEVOTION

Free from Fear




You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

—Psalm 91:5–6

History tells of a courageous Christian who was standing before one of the Roman emperors who was persecuting the church. The emperor was demanding that Christians abandon their faith, deny the Lord, and declare Caesar as Lord. But this Christian refused. So the emperor threatened, "Give up Christ, or I will banish you."




The Christian said, "You can't banish me from Christ, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' "




The emperor said, "I will confiscate all your property."




The believer replied, "My treasures are laid up in heaven. You can't touch them." The emperor said, "I will kill you."




The Christian said, "I have been dead to the world in Christ for forty years. My life is hid with Christ in God. You can't touch it."




The emperor then turned to the rest of his court and said, "What can you do with such a fanatic?"




That so-called fanatic knew something about God's protection. And that is something we all should know about in these frightening times in which we are living. There are so many things we can be afraid of, from getting on a plane to becoming a victim of violent crime to being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.




It is great to know that God promises, "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you" (Psalm 91:7). It isn't over until it's over. Until that time, we can go out with boldness, knowing that God is in control of our lives.