Doctor Jesus

The other day I took Shannon to her pediatrician because she had been having stomach pains. I noticed how the nurse took Shannon’s vitals—weight and temperature. Afterwards the doctor came in and asked Shannon to sit up on the gurney. Dr. McDaniel listened to Shannon’s heartbeat and breathing. She asked Shannon to lay back and began pressing the tips of her fingers gently into Shannon’s stomach. She then looked into Shannon’s eyes, ears and throat.

Why did she do all this? She was attempting to diagnose Shannon’s problem. She was looking for indicators, which might help her to understand why Shannon wasn’t feeling well.

This is what physicians do. They perform an examination, diagnose our problem and then prescribe a solution.

Many people avoid seeing a doctor. Some haven’t had a checkup in years. Perhaps they just didn't have the time or the money.

But, some just don’t want people touching them and probing them and looking over them. Others are fearful of doctors.

There are some examinations that you just want to avoid. I don't know of anyone who jumps for joy when it is time to see the dentist.

As I entered into my forties there is an exam that men over forty should have. I dread this exam with every ounce of emotion I have.

Some people avoid seeing a doctor because they just don’t like to be told there is something wrong.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is our “Great Physician.” Luke 5:31-32 reads, “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.”

Jesus is telling us that there are those who are spiritually sick.

There are those who have cancer of the soul.

There are those who have AIDS (Adam's Inherited Disease of Sin)

There are those who are terminally ill with the disease of sin.

Many people consider Jesus as the Great Physician but just like a medical doctor there are some who haven’t seen Doctor Jesus for a checkup for years. But it's not because they have no money—His services are free, paid for at Calvary.

Some just don’t want Dr. Jesus touching them and probing them and examining them. Others just don’t like to be told that there is something wrong with them.

Just like with a medical doctor, there are diagnostics that can be performed that will shed light on a person's spiritual condition. In Psalm 26:2, the psalmist says, “Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.”

There are operations and procedures that Dr. Jesus can perform that can make a person whole.

(Psa 51:7 NKJV) Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

(Psa 51:8 NKJV) Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

(Psa 51:9 NKJV) Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.

(Psa 51:10 NKJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

(Ezek 36:25 NKJV) "…I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

(Ezek 36:26 NKJV) "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

(Ezek 36:27 NKJV) "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

Today we are taking a trip to the Doctor’s office. I’ve made an appointment for everyone to attend. The doctor’s fee has already been paid. There’s no HMO. No co-pay. No insurance is required because of the assurance we have in the blood of Jesus Christ.

Let’s go into the examination room. The Holy Spirit is the Doctor’s assistant. Furthermore, there is no need to strip down to your socks because the Holy Spirit can see through all that stuff anyway.

He can see through your façade.

He can see through your makeup.

He can see through our pretense.

He can see through our “front” for the Bible says,

"…the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12-13)

As one enters the examination room and jumps up on the examination table his prayer should be:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”