Reference Passage:
Luke 5:31-32 (The Message)
"Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out."
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A big party has just been announced and cheer is in the air. Levi – coming from the despised band of tax-collectors – has just become a disciple of Jesus Christ, and his transformation is cause for celebration. We follow the excited chatter and delicious aroma, right into Levi's house where many of the invitees belong to the same notorious background, as did Levi formerly. No goodies for guessing who The Chief Guest is. If numbers are any indication to go by, the gathering boasts 'great numbers' in the words of the historian. On the sidelines, as always, a group of detractors look on and keep up a running commentary on the downsides of mixing with this 'sinner crowd', which eventually prompts the Master to re-assert the principles of spiritual health care, for which the Pharisees and their scribes customarily claim bragging rights.
The Gospel accounts of the life of Christ, bear numerous testimonies of amazing miracles – starting from the changing of water to wine, all the way to the ressurection of Lazarus from the dead, and many more. Its not uncommon to find Christians, wondering as to why such genuine Divine power plays are hard to find today. We may have settled comfortably for a variety of theological opinions, and yet missed one significant view of the question. The basic tenet of Christ's policy reads thus: Its the sick that need a physician, and not those who are well. Its time we sincerely asked ourselves if our prayer requests apply to advancing God's interests to guide lives in turmoil, safely into His harbour of hope.
More often than not, we expect our Father to act like a magician, doing by magic that which is within our reach, yet requires the bending of our will. When God has already placed in our hands the resources to create someone's miracle, why do we sit around and seek the shortcut to our umteenth promotion?
There is a term in clinical medicine – placebo – that in Latin, means 'I shall please'. In reality, placebos are inactive substances administered by physicians, purely for their psychological effect. This is found to be effective in the case of hypochondriacs – a dubious class of patients who have imaginary ailments and symptoms, ever convincing themselves that they are ill.
For the Christian, faith in God is meant to be that precious quality which stills the storms of doubt, and the balm that heals fear. What placebo, shall we offer then, to the many who are still insecure about their tomorrow, and uncertain about their Eternity with God? Our health cover in Christ is the only comprehensive solution that provides for our temporary needs on earth, as well as renders healing to help us reach our Eternal Home. However, I find no alternative placebo for inadequacy of trust.
Moreover, consider this deeper thought: if our pestering attitude arises from the belief that God could be reduced to a prima-facie set of evidence that eliminates the need for faith, think again. Long ago, wise men saw that both the 'God' camp, as well as the 'No-God' one, ultimately need the element of trust to navigate through life with sanity. Which is why, one Bible writer, among many others, concluded thus: "It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man." (Psalm 118:8)
As for the Pharisees, the problems of the Church do not end there. There is also the bigger difficulty of turning healthy people sick by administering too much medicine, or drugs that are wrongly prescribed. Ever wondered why sermons stimulate little more than yawns from the audience? Both preacher and hearers are more concerned about filling the gaps, and completing the formalities for each Church meeting while failing to see that the very same word of encouragement and comfort, would have been gladly received by the needy soul – provided we would leave our comfort zones and go in search of lost sheep.
Formality today, indifference tomorrow, ignorance the day after. It does not take long, for ignorance to breed irreverence, and then, the pastor's crucifixion for failing to be effective, will not be very far.
Even the good physician can administer the right medicine the right way, only if the sick is willing to accept the reality of the problem. Counting oneself well even when the symptoms tell otherwise, is a risky idea. Believing that there's no medicine for the problem, or that the doctor is helpless to save, does little good. Worse yet, thinking that the doctor doesn't even exist and convincing others of the same, leads to disastrous consequences. Sin is a worldwide epidemic, that no amount of self-service a.k.a. self-management, will help alleviate.
Lets turn the question around, a little bit.
Have we correctly diagnosed our inner sickness, that needs His healing touch? An honest self-diagnosis would reveal that our definitions of morality remain hinged on the collusion of circumstance, and have little standing of its own. In other words, it doesn't take long for our 'good behaviour' to evaporate, if our surroundings are unfavourable. What good is 'good' if it quickly surrenders to evil in meekness? At best, we claim the moral standard of hurting no one, yet give little thought to the possibility that we frustrate our Creator's higher interests in making us what we are. Rightly does the Bible declare : "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked." (Jeremiah 17:9)
The success of Levi's feast was not simply for the fact that he subscribed to Christ's policy. In fact, it was a far cry from some of our conferences and conventions, in terms of logistics. However, instead of inviting the President and booking the Hilton for the evening, he led the sick to the Great Physician in the warm environs of his home, and thus manifested the cardinal advantage of New Testamental spiritual healing: he had now become a channel of healing for others. The drinker at the Fountain, now had the spring within himself, gushing out to fill thirsty souls all around.
The Lord once said: "Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
(John 4:14)
There's just one Physician who promised to treat the malady at the root – deep within the hearts of needy men – with a revitalising shot of forgiveness and Spirit. His health care plan has lifetime coverage, and He's promised to be there for anyone who would call.
Best of all, He, unlike so many others, is available at the sinners' party.
