May 1, 2004

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

"Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind recover their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are [made] clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the poor are hearing the good news" (Matthew 11:4, NEB).

Jesus remains the greatest and most renowned physician the world has ever known. Without the use of conventional medicine, He healed all who came to Him including the chronic and the incurable. His extraordinary healing accomplishments earned Him the well-earned title, "The Great Physician."

Not only did He cure the incurable, but He made people whole--physically, emotionally, and spiritually. His diagnosis never erred; His prescriptions never failed. And the recovery was always immediate. He became a popular physician not only because of His miraculous healings, but because He was thoughtful, considerate, and compassionate (see Matthew 9:36).

The Gospels record more than twenty miracles of healing by Jesus. Great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them (see Matthew 19:2). His incomparable healing ministry brought health to entire communities (see Matthew 8:16). Crowds were amazed and exclaimed, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel" (Matthew 9:33, NIV)!

The Great Physician specialized in healing all types of diseases whether they were physical, spiritual, or psychological (see Matthew 9:35). He never lost a patient. Jesus healed the physically incapacitated (see Matthew 9:2). He restored sight to the blind (see Luke 18:42, 43). He brought healing to the lepers (see Matthew 8:2, 3). He loosened the tongue of the dumb (see Mark 9:25). No wonder it is said of the Great Physician that "as He passed through the towns and cities He was like a vital current, diffusing life and joy wherever He went."--The Desire of Ages, p. 350.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I accept the prescription of the Great Physician. Touch my brokenness and make me whole. Amen.