Introduction When we’re young, we think we will live forever but as we grow older we go to our physician so that we might get the help we need to get better. Jesus was criticized by the Jews for eating with sinners. Jesus responded, “It is not those who are well who need a physician but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32). The Gentiles knew that they were sinners and went to the Great Physician for spiritual healing while the Jews didn’t think they needed God’s help. In this lesson, we will learn about the Great Physician!

Jesus Healed all that Were Sick Your doctor is not going to be able to heal everyone with his prescriptions due to limited wisdom, availability, and circumstances. What may work with one patient may not with another. But Jesus healed every kind of disease and sickness no matter how rare (Matthew 9:35). Why? To demonstrate that He had the power on earth to forgive sins (not for riches, glory, or honor for himself) (Matthew 9:2-6).

Jesus Truly Sympathizes with the Patient If you have a good doctor, you may have to wait a long time while suffering before you can see him. Once you go, he may only have a few minutes and may not care about your condition because he has so many patients to take care of. But Jesus is able to sympathize with all people everywhere at all times so that He can help everyone who needs Him (Matthew 9:36). How is he able to sympathize with us? Because he was tempted like we are in all things. (Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:15)

Jesus Always Makes the Correct Diagnosis Some may not go to their physician because of fear, pride, prior misdiagnosis, or previous suffering from taking the wrong medication. Jesus knows that man’s problem is sin (John 2:25), which separates man from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), it will eventually kill us (James 1:14-15), and it leads to eternal damnation (Rev. 21:8). But just like the person who doesn’t want to hear the bad news from the doctor, sinners do not want to hear that they are guilty of sin. Because people don’t want to hear, see, and understand God’s word, they cannot be healed of their sins which is what the Lord desires. (Matthew 13:15)

The Only Remedy for Sin is the Blood of Christ Our doctor may have many remedies for our physical problem, but in the spiritual realm there is only one known cure for our sins (Heb. 9:22). We were not bought with perishable things like money or possessions but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:17-19). The Great Physician made the greatest sacrifice for us while we were helpless, hopeless, godless and guilty of sin (Rom. 5:6-8; Eph. 2:12; Heb. 2:9). Jesus died once for all time (Heb. 10:11-14), so that we can receive the benefits of His sacrifice even today.

We Must Take the Right Dosage (Obey) If we are suffering or in severe pain, we are careful to take the correct dosage at the right time. The prescription from the Great Physician for our sin is obedience (Hebrews 5:8-9; Romans 6:17-18). If Naaman was going to be cured of leprosy, he was going to have to overcome his pride & dip seven times in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5:10-14). If people are going to be cured of their sins today, they must humble their pride and submit to being baptized because that is what the Lord prescribed to receive the remission of sins. (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

The Wrong Medicine Will Kill You (Error) There are many warning labels on our medicine that tell us not to take certain medicines if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diebetes, etc. because it could lead to a stroke, heart attack, or even death. The Scriptures warns us about false teachers for our good because if we partake of their remedy we will suffer and die spiritually. (1 John 4:1; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 John 1:9-11) [Examples- faith only (James 2:24); just be honest & sincere in religion (Acts 23:1); go to the church of your choice (Matt. 15:9; 16:18); or you can’t fall from grace (Galatians 5:4)]

The Wrong Medicine Will Kill You (Error) What would you think of a person who said “I believe in my doctor”, but won’t take the prescription that he gave to be healed? You will likely say they don’t really believe in him. In the same way, those who say they believe in Jesus, but will not do what He says (Luke 6:46) don’t really believe in the Lord. They have been deceived by the smooth and flattering speech of men which promises freedom but enslaves them in their sins. (Romans 16:17-18; 2 Peter 2:18-19)

We Can Relapse into Sin and Die Just as cancer can go into remission, the patient can also suffer into relapse and die again. When we obeyed the gospel, we have the remission of our sins but we can relapse into the habit of sin and be lost (2 Peter 2:20-22). But if we practice the Christian graces we will not stumble (2 Peter 1:5-11). When Christians fall short of God’s glory, the prescription is for us to humble ourselves and confess our sins, because He is faithful and righteous to forgive us (1 John 1:8-10).

We Must Diet, Exercise, & Have a Good Environment to Live In Doctors tell us- we should eat right, exercise, & live in a good environment if we want to be healthy. But even if you live longer, it still will not prevent you from dying. What are you eating? Are you getting your spiritual nutrition everyday? (Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:2) Are you exercising? Not your body, but your faith. (1 Timothy 4:7-8; Galatians 6:10) How is your environment? Are you keeping good or bad company? (1 Cor. 15:33; Proverbs 13:20).

Conclusion Some people die because they won’t see the doctor, take the wrong medicine, don’t obey the doctor’s orders, or they quit taking the medicine. But if you follow the orders of the Great Physician, when you do die, you will live forever in heaven. We are all terminal! We are all going to die and face the Judgment (Heb. 9:27). Are you prepared? Don’t be deceived by false doctrines which poison the souls of men for their own profit. If you want to be healed of your sin, there is only one remedy, Jesus Christ who shed His blood. The prescription is obedience. Obey the gospel, be faithful until death, & you’ll be free from pain.