What kind of people are in the hospital? Sick people, of course! They have different illnesses, and some are more serious. Yet without intensive help, they all face debilitation and death. That’s how it is when we come to Jesus. Sin is a cancer requiring dramatic surgery, not bandages or home remedies. Thank God that the Great Physician has a treatment plan for us.
1.) Admit we are sick. Too often, we act as though we have everything figured out and under control. Jesus told the self-righteous Pharisees, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners’” (Matthew 9:12-13). For Jesus to heal us, we must recognize that we need Him.
2.) Want to be healed. It is so easy to focus on what others are doing wrong and cast ourselves as helpless victims. Before Jesus healed the invalid man by the pool called Bethesda, He asked, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6). Jesus looks us in the eye and asks us to decide if we want to get better or not. He can help us no matter what others do.
3.) Accept help. Because of sin’s shame, we try to self-medicate, dealing with all our issues privately. James says to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed” (James 5:16). God says we must involve other Christians to heal.
4.) Get moving. Abundant living requires an active lifestyle. Jesus preached, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). Being right with God means getting right with others, where we humbly make the first move by going to those who feel hurt by us.
In this is a reminder that the hospital has more than one bed. Just as Jesus was surrounded by sinners wanting to learn from Him, imperfect people belong to and even lead our church family. While we seek treatment, we may very well get exposed to someone else’s illness: anger, jealousy, pride, and the like. Yet if we keep our eyes on Jesus and follow the doctor’s orders, we will all heal and eventually go home healthy and whole.