450. MAT 9:12. CHRIST A PHYSICIAN

Mat_9:12. Christ A Physician

"They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."’97Mat_9:12.

In the application of this proverb to himself, Jesus evidently professed to be a physician, and his whole ministerial career will establish that profession. Christ proved himself to be a physician of the body. He cured all sorts of diseases;’97dropsies, fevers, palsies, blindness, deafness, leprosies, bloody issues, and dumbness, all fled before his healing power. It mattered not how deep, how complicated, how universal, or of how long standing, he never failed in restoring to perfect health and soundness. Many cases which were humanly speaking hopeless, he restored by he word of his power. His power was so extensive, that even death was forced to yield his prey at his command. One he brought to life from the bed on which she had just expired’97a second as they were bearing him to the place of burial’97and a third, after he had been entombed, heard his voice, and lived, and came forth. Jesus does not now employ his miraculous influence in healing the diseases of the body, but still his ability is the same. And though we are not called to expect his supernatural interposition in curing our bodily diseases, yet all human means will fail without his blessing.

We have seen that Jesus was a celebrated physician of the body, but he was equally successful in healing the maladies of the mind. In the wonder-working days of his flesh, he healed all sorts and degrees of mental and moral diseases. He cured the lunatic boy’97he cured the demoniac, who dwelt among the tombs, and brought him to sit at his feet clothed, and in his right mind. But he also proved himself the physician of the soul.

I. The Soul of Man is the Subject of Disease.

Every faculty is impaired; every power disordered; the plague spot is upon it; the leprosy defiles it; the fever consumes it; it is affected with the torpid paralysis. The eyes of the mind are blinded, the ears stopped, and the tongue is speechless. The afflictions of the soul are hereditary,’97complicated,’97deep seated,’97universally prevalent,’97painful,’97and absolutely fatal. They never exhaust their strength, or cure themselves,’97neither are they curable by any human agency whatever. Now, of these otherwise incurable maladies,

II. Jesus is the efficient Physician.

1. His knowledge is infinite.

He knows the cause, the progress, and the precise state of the disease of the human heart.

2. His power is almighty.

There is nothing too hard for him to effect’97he can eradicate the most virulent and confirmed disorders of the soul.

3. His tenderness is inexpressible.

He deeply commiserates the misery of sinsick souls,’97his bowels yearn over them,’97his heart is full of tenderness towards them,’97he does not want an application from them, but he seeks to heal, and says, "Wilt thou be made whole?"

4. His terms are astonishing.

He heals without money, and without price,’97all he desires is the use of his medicines, and humble attention to the prescriptions he gives.

5. His success is infallible.

He never fails to effect a cure,’97none ever sought his aid in vain. Though death had already commenced its ruinous work upon the dying malefactor, yet one word of his healed the malady of his soul, and saved him from the jaws of eternal death, and made him meet for the healthy abodes of the heavenly paradise.

6. As a physician, Christ’s invitations are universal.

He does not confine his practice to any grade or class of society: the world is his hospital; and all mankind may become his patients: the poor are alike welcome with the rich: he healeth all who come unto him. Notice,

III. The Method of Healing which he adopts.

In curing the diseases of the soul,

1. He employs the agency of his word.

It is said he sent his word, and healed them: the word contains a revelation both of the disease and mode of cure: the word is emphatically the word of salvation’97the word of life. He also employs,

2. The catholicon of his blood.

The blood of Jesus is the true balm of Gilead’97that in which alone we have redemption, even the forgiveness of sin. It is this which speaks peace to the guilty mind, and which cleanseth from all unrighteousness.

3. By the power of his Spirit.

The Spirit applies the precious blood of Christ to the heart, and thus the malady of sin is removed, and the soul is made whole.

Application

1. The cure which Christ imparts to the sinsick soul is radical, universal, and abiding. He heals every wound, and restores every faculty: he gives beauty for deformity; strength for weakness; and blooming health for sickness and decay.

2. How important that we ascertain our true state and condition. Hath he healed us? have we been convicted of sin’97have we loathed it’97and have we been delivered from it? Have we the signs of spiritual health upon us? do we live in the exercise of godliness? is the pain and smart, arising from consciousness of sin, removed? have we the indwelling of the Spirit testifying that we are the sons of God?

3. Let spiritual health be carefully cultivated. Avoid all that is pernicious to the soul. Cherish the influences of the Spirit, and thus grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. The spiritually sick, who despise this physician, must inevitably perish. There is no other balm in Gilead, nor any other physician there.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS