Preparing for Sunday’s lesson, I read the remainder of Luke 5. Several things that stood out to me, but I’d like to focus today on the need for a physician. Christ, of course, is the great and eternal physician, and while He healed many physical ailments, He primarily heals the soul.
The discussion begins because Christ interacts with the publican, Levi. When He beckons the man to “Follow me”, Levi demonstrates the faith of the disciples: “he left all, rose up, and followed him” (verse 28). Thus we see this was a man of great faith who had been touched by the Holy Spirit. He took Christ home, where the scribes and Pharisees criticized Him for dining with “publicans and sinners.”
Sinners? The last time I checked, everyone on this earth except the Savior was a sinner, including the Pharisees. Christ, of course, responds that He has come to heal the sick; those who are well need no physician. But aren’t we all sick to some degree? Don’t we all require the ministrations of the Lord Jesus Christ? Without Him, we are all lost to spiritual death.
As I thought about this story more, I realized that, while everyone on earth stands in need of this great spiritual physician, not everyone is willing to admit they are ill. Even among those who know of the divinity of Christ, far too many strive to “work out their own salvation.” They think that the burden falls upon them to perfect themselves, when in reality, they can rely only on Christ. (For a great short book on the subject, I encourage you to read “Believing Christ” by Stephen Robinson.) And so, those who refuse to call for the doctor cannot be healed. Soon, their wounds fester, and they suffer eternal illnesses because of them.
In order for the physician to come, we must call for his help. In order for Christ to forgive us, we must seek to be forgiven. We must realize there is a problem, and be willing to change our lives so that we can follow Him. We must realize that there are sacrifices to be made, and make them. We must be humble and teachable, not prideful and willful. We must desire His help, rather than seek to save ourselves.
Let us seek, then, to remain humble. As we do so, we will recognize our failings and desire the hand of Christ in our lives to change. We will know that we cannot do it all ourselves. We will plead for the Savior to give His assistance and apply His healing to our sick souls.
The aid He gives will be beyond that which mortal lives can comprehend.
Related Articles:
General Conference: “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness”
General Conference: “The Atonement Can Clean, Reclaim, and Sanctify Our Lives”
Gospel Doctrine: They Forsook All, and Followed Him