The Grace Physician

“So Jesus went to her, took her hand and helped her up.”  Mark 1:31

 

In an effort to diagnose a recent illness, I consulted the most famous doctor of our day—Web M.D.  With just a few clicks of the mouse, a wealth of facts informed me of symptoms, treatments, and possible side effects, but what was missing was care, concern, and kindness—remedies often more effective than prescriptions for another pill.  Knowledge on a screen can be helpful, but even more so a doctor who will come close, offer a hand, and help us up.

The Great Physician used that method, and it began with His very first healing.  Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever, so James and John brought Jesus to fix her.  “As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.  Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.  So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them”(Mk 1:29-31).

Jesus could have willed the woman well from far away (which He did for the centurion’s servant), but from the start He wanted people to know that He was not a distant deity but was a personal, physical, and powerful Savior.  The healing of this lady was a snapshot of His entire redemptive purpose and plan.  

“So He went to her…”  She was unable to come to Him, too sick to stand, too weak to walk.  She could never reach Him on her own, so the only way she would be healed was if He came to her.  And so He did—to her and to us.  

“He took her hand…”  A fever meant she was contagious, and contact increased the chance of contracting the disease, but Jesus reached through the risk and took her hand.  His touch calmed, soothed, and conveyed His wholeness and health.  The pressure of His fingers on hers let her know that One had arrived who would put her needs above His own and who was willing to suffer to end her sickness.  “And by his wounds we are healed”(Isa 53:5).

“…and He helped her up.”  Though Jesus had restored her strength, He didn’t make her stand on her own.  He helped her up, confirming her steadiness as she stood and maintaining contact as she increased in confidence.  You know He surely smiled at the shock and surprise on her face and that He delighted in her amazement and joy. Oh, yes, “God has come to help his people”(Lk 7:16).

Her response to restoration was immediate and humble service. “The fever left her and she began to wait on them”(Mk 1:31).  No meal could be too good for the One who had made her well.  No amount of energy and effort would be too much.  She focused her abilities on the One who had given her a reason to use them, and she became His servant.

We’ve been in the same spot with way more than just a fever.  We were ill due to iniquity, dreadfully contagious, and on our deathbed, but Jesus came to us.  In the Incarnation He showed up in skin to take our sin, and He was willing to do more than talk but to touch—to feel every hurt, to face every temptation, and to know every heartache of being human.  And after He had dealt with our worst through pain we can never probe, He helped us up by raising Himself up from the very place we feared the most.  

Our response to this restoration should be immediate, humble, and ongoing service. Nothing can be too good for the One who has made us well.  No amount of energy and effort can be too much to make much of Him.  Our gratitude can never be over the top, and our praise can never be superfluous.  All of our abilities should be focused on Him, and we should daily be His servant.

The Great Physician is the Grace Physician.

When we call the Doctor, He will come because He already has.