The Great Physician

He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sickness. — Matthew 8:17

In reflecting on his deteriorating health, John Donne (1572-1631) described his feelings as physicians examined him to find “the root and occasion” of a serious illness. In hushed tones, they discussed their conclusions outside his room.

At first Donne was afraid, but in time he saw compassion in their faces and begun to trust them. Their concern reminded Donne that he could trust the Great Physician. As he read the Gospels, he saw God the Father’s face in the tender, compassionate face of Jesus.

Many of us struggle with our thoughts about God, especially during illness. Perhaps we grew up attending a church that portrayed an angry God who inflicted sickness on us. Can we trust Him? Like Donne, we turn to the Gospels for our reason to trust God. And we find it in His Son Jesus, who was unfailingly compassionate toward those who were afflicted, regardless of the reason.

So we pray as Donne prayed, “Deliver me, therefore, O my God, from these vain imaginations” — the belief that by our sin we have forfeited God’s goodness and mercy. As Donne wisely said, the Great Physician “knows our natural infirmities, for He had them, and knows the weight of our sins, for He paid a dear price for them.” — David Roper

The Great Physician now is near —

The sympathizing Jesus;

He speaks the drooping heart to cheer —

O hear the voice of Jesus! — Hunter

READ: John 9:1-7

The cross of Jesus is the supreme evidence of the love of God. — Oswald Chambers

The Bible in one year:

• Isaiah 56-58

• 2 Thessalonians 2