Articles
The Great Physician
Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” (Jer. 8:22). Israel is depicted as being afflicted with a dreaded disease, and Jeremiah is asking about the cure. Balm was basically used as a source for healing, and Gilead was an area where much of it could be found.Jeremiah is saying, “The people are sick; is there no remedy for their disease? Is there no physician?”
Every life that was ever ruined, every heart that was ever broken, and every hope that was ever dashed was caused by sin. Many homes have been destroyed, individuals have been ruined, and mighty nations have fallen, because of sin. Living a sinful life voids God’s purpose for us, haunts our soul, robs us of happiness, sets a bad example, causes us to fear death, and will cause us to miss heaven.
Thanks be to God that there is a great physician who can heal our sin-sick troubled soul. Jesus is that Great Physician. He lived among us, and is acquainted with all of our ills. He saw us at our worst when He looked down from the cross where we nailed Him. He knows what remedy to apply to heal the disease of our sin-sick souls. His shed blood is our “balm.”
Many sick people die due to lack of treatment and the same is true with sinners. Sin is progressive, and constantly becomes worse as time passes. The Great Physician calls on those who are diseased by sin, “Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2)\
All who need the cleansing blood of Jesus can come and be “healed.” The Great Physician says that sinners must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Great Physician, turn (repent) from their sinful ways, and upon their confession of faith in Him, be buried with Him in baptism as they look forward to forgiveness and the healing of their soul. With this relationship established, they can walk in the light, as He is in the light and the blood of Jesus cleanses them from all sin. At this point they have found the remedy for sin which can be applied daily for the remainder of their life. Yes, there is a Great Physician who can apply the remedy for the sin-sick soul — if only we will come to Him.
The issue is: will we come for the cleansing the blood of Jesus provides? We are invited to come, and are promised rest for our soul. We are warned that remaining apart from Jesus’ cleansing blood is disastrous.With the power of choice and full instructions revealed in the New Testament, it seems strange that any sin-sick soul would go through life without this cleansing.
The gospel, which is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16-17) has been given. The gospel reveals the way to heaven, but many refuse to accept God’s remedy for sin. Please, do not let this be you.
