A Parable

     Once upon a time there was a man walking along a street.  This man was not well.  His eyes were red and puffy.  His nose was dripping, his breathing could better be called wheezing.  His heartbeat was irregular;  at times rapid, with palpitations he could feel, then missing beats altogether.  At times he stumbled and would weave from side to side.  He would stop occasionally with a fit of coughing that would bring up blood.  His ears were blocked with waxy buildup.  It was obvious he had not seen a bath or shower, not even a washcloth cleansing for some time.

     A tall commanding man met our friend as he was bent over vomiting.  He placed his hand upon the man's shoulder and offered his own hanky for the man to wipe his blood-tinged spittle.  In a quiet but authoritative voice he introduced himself as a physician.  Our friend didn't know it but this was a physician known worldwide for the amazing cures people had experienced under his care.

     The physician told of the treatment the man could receive free of charge.  "I have a facility with skilled nurses" he said, "that I have personally trained."  He told of the various simple treatments available and the amazing cures others had received.  But the sick man said:  "no, I have been taking some pills that I have been told will help me feel better, and I am on my way to get more."  The physician urged the sick man to let him oversee his recovery, assuring him that his treatment would get at the source of his disease, not just mask the symptoms.  

     The ending is not written.  It depends on your response. God's Word says we are all "sick unto death".  From the top of our head down to the sole of our foot we are nothing but wounds, puss filled sores that contaminate everything we touch.  (Isaiah 1:5-6)

Think of "flesh eating bacteria", HIV/AIDS, our soul sickness is worse, and incurable by any earthly medicine or vaccine - except one.

     The Great Physician is Jesus Christ.  Only His treatment can get at the root of our disease.  If we will humble ourselves to accept and follow His directions then we can be cured.  Cured so the disease will never recur again.  The key word is humble.  We cannot alter a single ingredient in our Physician's medicine.  We cannot change or skip a single step in God's prescription.  

     Proverbs 4:20-22  "My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings.  Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart.  For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh."  

Proverbs 3:7-8  "Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."