A Bible-believing evangelical church in the village of Wellington, near Hereford and Leominster.

Thought for the Day – 136

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Preached during the morning service on 4 August 2020 by .


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E V A N G E L I C A L WELLINGTON CHAPEL

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
DAY 136

Matthew 9:12 — ‘Jesus said to them, “Those who are well have no need of
a physician, but those who are sick.” ’

Recommended reading: Matthew 9:10-38

The Great Physician

During His earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ was, among many things, the
great healer. He was concerned for those who were sick in body and troubled in
mind. But most of all He came to transform the lives of those who were spiritually
in need of restoration. He came to seek and save those who were lost and in need
of His salvation. This morning I want us briefly to consider this amazing physician
and realise how important He is to have as a friend and Saviour.

1. He knows our disease. There are certain diseases and viruses, including
Coronavirus, that have baffled medical and scientific experts over many years.
Coronavirus is a relatively new virus that is causing devastation throughout
the world, and so far our leading experts are still uncertain how it will develop
and, more important, how to eradicate it. If only they would acknowledge their
limitations and look to the one who has the answer.
Sir Isaac Newton was congratulated for his scientific achievement. He
responded, ‘I have been like a little child playing with pebbles on the beach,
while the great ocean of truth lies unexplored before me.’
Physicians often work in the dark. Even if they are aware of a disease, they can’t
always cure it. Jesus never works in the dark; He is the light of the world.
The greatest disease facing mankind is sin, and Jesus knows all about it. This is a
far more serious pandemic than Coronavirus. Other diseases and viruses affect
the body; sin affects the soul. Undetected diseases will kill the body; sin will
eventually destroy the soul.

2. He is the tender physician. Some physicians have accumulated great wealth
through their medical knowledge. To discover a cure for some life-threatening
disease has brought great accolades to them. When it comes to the greatest
physician, He didn’t become rich; to the contrary, He became poor. More than
that, His chief medicine was His own blood. By His stripes we are healed.
This tender, compassionate physician took the road to Calvary to spare our
suffering. Our disease was laid upon Him so that we would be healed and
preserved from further agony. This physician was full of love for His sinful
patients. I know of no other physician who would take upon himself our
terminal disease, but Jesus did.

3. He is a mighty and all skilful physician. A physician will diagnose your
condition and then write out a prescription for your ailment, and both patient
and doctor will trust your condition improves, thereby restoring you to health.
Whether people had leprosy, useless limbs, blindness or even demonic illness,
Jesus used His mighty power to bring restoration.
He doesn’t bring restoration to everyone, for reasons known only to Him, but He
shows compassion and tenderness to His people, all supported by His prayers.
Our prayers will never go unanswered.
Whether our ailment is physical or spiritual, Micah 7:19 says, ‘He will again have
compassion on us.’

4. There is no other physician like Him. If you are sick in body you have a
choice of physicians. A few miles from our home we have an excellent medical
practice with doctors who specialise in different aspects of our welfare. We have
a choice of whom we visit. However, despite our confidence in them, they are
human and have limitations.
The Lord Jesus not only healed those who were sick in body and mind, but most
of all He had the power to forgive sins and transform lives, and He does the
same today.
However, He will never flatter or deceive. He will always be honest in His
appraisal of us, and give His correct diagnosis. You will also find that He is always
near at hand and ready to help whenever you call upon Him.
There is no other physician that can be compared with Jesus. In Acts 4:12 Peter
reminds his hearers, ‘Nor is there salvation in any other; for there is no other
name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’
Thankfully we need no other!

At evening, when the sun had set,
the sick, O Lord, around you lay:
in what distress and pain they met,
but in what joy they went away!

Once more the evening comes, and we
oppressed with various ills draw near;
and though your form we cannot see,
we know and feel that you are here.

O Saviour Christ, our woes dispel —
for some are sick and some are sad,
and some have never loved you well,
and some have lost the love they had.

And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
for none are wholly free from sin;
and those who long to serve you best
are conscious most of wrong within.

O Saviour Christ, the Son of man,
you have been troubled, tempted, tried;
your kind but searching glance can scan
the very wounds that shame would hide.

Your touch has still its ancient power;
no word from you can fruitless fall:
meet with us in this evening hour
and in your mercy heal us all!

Henry Twells, 1823-1900
© in this version Jubilate Hymns
CCLI – 1050955

Pastor: Kristian Dimond 01432 830002 07810 442523 pastor@wellingtonec.org.uk
Elders: John Roberts 01432 830100 jokaroberts@gmail.com
Keith Weber 01568 611251 07436 005561 keith.smallprint@gmail.com
Wellington Evangelical Chapel, Wellington, Hereford HR4 8AX www.wellingtonec.org.uk Reg Charity No 233810
THE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY IS PREPARED BY JOHN ROBERTS