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Feb 02, 2023 18:30pm

Tending to the Emergencies

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Working in healthcare for years, you come across stories that hardly even shock you anymore. One area of concern has always been abuse of the ER. The fact that it’s called an “Emergency Room” should tell you something about the issues they treat.

But, far too often, you find people there that aren’t experiencing a medical emergency. In some cases, they are just looking for a prescription. In others, they are lonely and this is one way they can get attention.

But that’s not what the ER is for. It’s for real emergencies, those that truly need medical attention right away, especially those that are in a life-or-death situation. With continued abuse of these services, it means longer wait times for your actual emergency.

As we continue our study through Mark, we come to a passage in chapter 2 that might step on our toes just a bit.

“And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:13-17)

Jesus was tending to the emergencies. He is the great physician and He came to heal those that were in need, those that were broken.

It’s not that the Pharisees weren’t in need of Jesus, oh how they desperately needed Him, it’s just that their hearts were so hard they wouldn’t receive Him.

The broken knew they needed help. They knew their wrongs, their desperation for help was evident, and those were the ones Jesus came for. It doesn’t say that Jesus joined in their sin, but that He taught them the truth. His truth convicted their hearts and they turned from their sins and to Him.

How do we choose who receives the Word of God? Are we inviting people to church who we think might be a great addition because of their status in the community, their wealth, or their connections?

If our main purpose here on earth is to glorify God by following Jesus’ example and sharing the gospel and making disciples, are we even getting it right?

Who can you reach out to today with the lifesaving message of Jesus Christ? Who can you disciple that is broken? This work is messy! God never said it would be easy!

Follow the example of Christ and reach out to those that are broken, those that desperately need the healing touch of the great physician.