We All Need THE Doctor

Medicine and doctor visits have been on the brain in our household lately. With a new baby, there are lots of visits, shots, insurance phone calls and the like that take place on a daily basis it feels like. On top of that, we are looking at some specialist visits and possibly surgery for our little one in the future. As a mom, I am grateful to God for the day in age we live in with modern medicine and the city that we live in where we can get such good care.

Along with all this medical talk, Mark 2:17 has been popping up everywhere I turn.

“And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'”

Jesus was in the habit of hanging out with tax collectors and other sinner types. The religious leaders of the day didn’t take too kindly to Jesus’ associations. Why would this man who claimed to be the Son of God, the Messiah, hang out with sinners? Jesus challenged their thinking by making an analogy. Do well people need to see a doctor? No, only those who are sick need a doctor. Then he goes on to say that he did not come to call the righteous but sinners. Jesus calls sin a sickness. And, we ALL have the disease and we ALL need the doctor.

It’s easy for me to read these verses and say, “Yup, there are so many people who need the doctor. You know, murderers and adulterers and drug addicts and child abusers. But, me, I’m a pretty good person. I follow all the ‘rules’, I go to church, I read my Bible and I pray. I don’t really need the doctor.” But, truth is we ALL need the doctor. Yes, even me. 🙂

Not only did I need Jesus on the day he saved me and brought me into his kingdom, but I need him daily to save me from myself. I need him to save me from my pride, my selfishness, and a thousand other sins that keep me from living the life God has called me to on this earth.

Daily I need to call on the doctor to make me well. He’s the only one with the cure.

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

(from “Lord, I Need You” by Chris Tomlin)