Jesus has been called the “Great Physician.” There is a song by that title that has very good sentiments. Seven hundred and fifty years before Jesus set foot on the earth, Isaiah prophesied, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5). Peter quotes this passage (1 Peter 2:24) and does not apply it to physical healing but to spiritual healing. This is as it ought to be.
Some, in the religious world today, make these passages above refer to a physical healing. Even though when Jesus was on earth He did heal people, this is neither the tone nor the meaning of the above passages. Jesus’ emphasis while on earth was to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). He was seeking the lost because they were estranged from Him; sin did that to mankind. When He found those that were lost, they needed healing because of the affects of sin. Only His blood can heal us so that all spots are removed from our soul.
There are many different sins that place those spots upon our soul. Galatians 5:19-21 lists these spots or sins, “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.” Colossians 3:5 cites these, “fornication uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Ephesians 4:25-31 lists the sins of lying, anger, stealing, corrupt communications, bitterness, wrath and anger, clamour, evil speaking, and malice.” There is a way to have these sins or spots removed from our soul so that we can stand justified before God. These are ailments upon which the Great Physician must gaze to see how the remedy must be applied.
The Blood of Christ will remove all these sins, spots and ailments but the Blood of Christ must be applied correctly. To apply the blood of Christ upon the “hands” when it needs to be applied to the heart is not to use the “prescription” correctly. The directions have been given to us in detail. Many do not read the directions thinking they know how to diagnose and apply the “balm.” When given a prescription there seems to be more information received than is needed, but reading this information necessary. It will give the directions as to the proper method of application, the proper time to take the prescription and if any side effects or reactions. We must read the prescription. We must read the prescription carefully. To not carefully read the prescription can be deadly both physically and spiritually. To apply the remedy to the “feet” when it needs to be applied to the “head” is not to get any benefit from the solution. To apply to the incorrect “spot” will have deadly consequences both in the physical and spiritual realm as well.
Another problem some invoke is going to the doctor because they know they are sick but just wanting to know what is wrong with them. The physician gives the prescription to heal the patient. The patient then might read the prescription carefully. The sick person may understand all of the information given, but this person does not take the prescription to the proper person to get the medicine. The medicine must be gotten from the proper place and filled by the proper person to do so is to make a fatal error The individual at the convenience store cannot fill the prescription..
Many in the religious world understand the remedy for the sin sick soul. Yet for some reason they will not take the “medication.” The prescription is understood without any reservation. The remedy is before them plainly and simply, yet it will not be taken. The reasons may be long. The reasons may be complicated but the remedy will not be had. To take the time and effort to go to the physician and then not to take the medication can be unwise and deadly. In the spiritual realm this is true, but it can also be in the physical realm.
“All have sinned” (Romans 3:23) so we are all sin sick. We are all in need of going to the Great Physician to have the Balm of Gilead applied to our heart and heads. This Balm is to be used on a constant basis. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). To fail to use this remedy is to have spots and blemishes reoccur. To do this is to find oneself outside the grace of God. To do so means to miss heaven!
Let us read the instructions that are contained within the Bible. Let us make the proper application to our own soul so that we can be saved in the end.
“The Great Physician now is near, the sympathizing Jesus; He speaks the drooping heart to cheer: O hear the voice of Jesus.
“All glory to the dying Lamb! I not believe in Jesus; I love the blessed Savior’s name, I love the name of Jesus.
“His name dispels my guilt and fear, No other name but Jesus; O how my soul delights to hear The charming name of Jesus.
“And when to that bright world above, We rise to see our Jesus, We’ll sing around the throne of Love His name, the name of Jesus
Sweetest note in seraph song, Sweetest name on mortal tongue, Sweetest carol ever sun, Jesus, blessed Jesus.”
The Great Physician taken from Praise for the Lord. William Hunter 1859; John Stockton 1869.
Love, Keith
