E
Paul's experience in his later ministry helps us to have a proper appreciation of Christ as the believers' Physician:
１
In 2 Timothy 4:20b Paul says, "Trophimus I left at Miletus sick."
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The apostle Paul left such an intimate one in sickness without exercising healing prayer for him.
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Paul also did not execute his healing gift (Acts 19:11-12) to cure Timothy of his stomach illness; rather, Paul instructed him to take the natural way for healing (1 Tim. 5:23).
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Paul encouraged Timothy to take a little wine, and he left Trophimus in Miletus.
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Paul cared for his co-workers in a very human way.
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The reason Paul cared for them in this way is that, in a time of suffering, Paul and his co-workers were under the discipline of the inner life rather than under the power of the outward gift.
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The former is of grace in life; the latter is of gift in power—miraculous power.
８
Paul's experience should help us to see that, for the most part, Christ's healing today is for the spirit and the soul.
９
If we see this vision, we will trust in Christ and experience Him as our Physician.
F
As our Physician, Christ has healing authority:
１
His healing is not simply a matter of power but also of authority.
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There is no need for Him to touch us directly in order to heal us.
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He needs only to speak a word, and His authority comes with His word to heal us—Matt. 8:8.
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Our Physician heals us with His authority.
Morning Nourishment
1 Tim. 5:23 No longer drink water only, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.2 Tim. 4:20 Erastus remained in Corinth, and Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.
Paul’s experience in his later ministry helps us to have a proper appreciation of Christ as the believers’ Physician. In 2 Timothy 4:20 Paul says, “Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.” Why did the apostle leave such an intimate one in sickness without exercising healing prayer for him? Why did he not also execute his healing gift (Acts 19:11-12) to cure Timothy of his stomach illness rather than instruct him to take the natural way for healing (1 Tim. 5:23)?…There is no record that he prayed for healing, and he certainly did not exercise the gift of healing. Instead, Paul encouraged Timothy to take a little wine, and he left Trophimus at Miletus. Paul cared for his coworkers in a very human way. The reason Paul cared for them in this way is that, in a time of suffering, Paul and his coworkers were under the discipline of the inner life rather than under the power of the outward gift. The former is of grace in life; the latter of gift in power, miraculous power. Paul’s experience should help us to see that, for the most part, Christ’s healing today is for the spirit and the soul. Christ is the believers’ Physician, the Healer of our spirit, our soul, and at times, also of our body. If we see this vision we shall trust in Him and experience Him as our Physician. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, pp. 616-617)
Today’s Reading
In the decline of the church and in suffering for the church, the gift of power is not as much needed as the grace in life…According to the New Testament, miraculous gifts may have a place when the church is first raised up. But for the church to withstand decline or persecution, miraculous gifts or powers are not very helpful. Only the eternal life on which we are to lay hold is prevailing. By this life we can withstand decline and persecution. (Life-study of 2 Timothy, p. 69)Three cases [in Mark’s Gospel] reveal that the Slave-Savior serves those who are sick with a fever, those who are paralyzed, and those who are lepers.
The first case [is] that of Peter’s mother-in-law (1:30-31). Peter’s mother- in-law was sick with a fever…This fever may signify an abnormal, unbridled temper…In order to help someone who has a fever like this, we must first be calm ourselves. Then gradually, the other party will calm down.
The second case of sickness in this Gospel is the case of a leper (vv. 40- 45). This leper portrays a typical sinner. Leprosy, the most contaminating, contagious, and damaging disease, isolates a person from both God and man. Leprosy causes its victim to lose fellowship with both God and man. Hence, the cleansing of the leper in 1:40-45 signifies the recovering of a sinner to fellowship with God and with men. The leper needed not only healing but also cleansing.
The third case of sickness…is the case of the paralytic (2:1-12)…The cases of Peter’s mother-in-law and the paralytic indicate that men are disabled by sin and that women have a fever because of sin…Therefore, we may say that women are sick with a fever and that men are sick with paralysis, disablement. Furthermore, both men and women are lepers in need of cleansing.
The Lord serves us with His forgiving authority and His cleansing power. He forgives our sins, cleanses us, and brings us back to God. He restores our fellowship with God and man. Because of Him, our sins are gone, and we have God as everything to us. Now we are enjoying God as our life, our light, our everything…This is the gospel, and this is also the way to carry out the gospel service. (Life-study of Mark, pp. 76, 75-76)
Further Reading: The Conclusion of the New Testament, msg. 46; Life-study of Mark, msg. 8