Scripture: Luke 5:31-32. And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
Observation: The gospel (good news) - there is healing and a healer - first requires recognizing the bad news - I am sick, unrighteous, and unable to heal myself. In Luke 4:25-28 Jesus highlighted two people who realized this, the widow of Zarephath who knew she was about to starve to death, and Naaman the Syrian who knew he had leprosy and couldn't heal himself. By doing what seemed to make little sense, they threw themselves on God's mercy, the widow when she baked her last bit of flour and oil and gave them to the prophet Elijah, and Naaman when he obeyed Elisha's instructions and bathed in the muddy Jordan when he had much nicer rivers at home. Jesus contrasted their faith (and the part they played in God's story) with the sense of self-sufficiency the people of his hometown showed. They thought being part of the people group God had chosen was good enough, they didn't need to do anything but already had it made because they were born that way. Jesus sought to break through that pride so they could see their need of good news in their poverty, liberty in their captivity, and sight in their blindness (Luke 4:18).
Application: How can I be sure to maintain the right attitude of need so I receive more healing from the Great Physician wherever I am poor, captive, or blind? I can follow Jesus' own example in Luke 5:15-16. Even as things got busy, he kept his priorities and identity straight by spending time alone with his Father in prayer. If Jesus himself needed to pray, how much more do I!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Great Physician. You have given me so much healing in so many areas already. And yet I know that while I am still breathing there is work you want to do in me. Show me where I am sinning and need repentance, where I am poor and need good news, where I am captive and need your liberty, where I am blind and need your vision. Also, at this time when the President is sick and in need of physical healing, I pray that you would open his eyes to his spiritual needs as well, and show him his inability to heal his own problems and his need to throw himself upon your mercy. I pray this for our other political leaders as well, and for my own family and friends - may we know our need of you and your sufficiency.
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