It is not the healthy who need
a doctor, but the sick.
—Mark 2:17
Four men brought a paralyzed friend to Jesus. It took some creative doing to get him into Jesus’ presence, but they got it done.
Jesus was touched. Yes, he would heal the incapacitated man. But before healing him physically, he healed him spiritually: “Son, your sins are forgiven,” he said (Mk 2:5).
If we have a smidgen of self-awareness, we know that forgiveness is Jesus’ greatest miracle. It meets the greatest need, comes at the greatest cost, and brings the greatest blessing and most lasting result.
To the self-righteous who censured Jesus’ concern for sinners, he said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
He examines us, makes a perfect diagnosis, provides the complete cure—and he pays the bill!
The doctor is in.