Comments: It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick

Once, when confronted about his habit of hanging out with prostitutes, tax collectors, and other "notorious" sinners, Jesus stated that "it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. (Matthew 9:12)" As He did so often, Jesus makes several important points with this one statement.

First, He was not talking, necessarily, about the physical condition of his friends, but rather their spiritual states. He was referring to His role as the doctor of their souls.

Second, He subtly points out that some people are, apparently, "healthy"—or so they think—while others are clearly "sick." Jesus draws our attention to "the sick" among us.

In our language and culture, it is easy to get the idea that there is something "wrong" or "bad" or deficient about a person who is sick, as if they were not quite as valuable or worthy as one who is "well." It is easy to conclude that a prostitute, addict, or another "notorious" sinner of our own age has somehow been responsible for their own downfall.

However, by invoking the notion of "sickness" to describe a sinful state, Jesus seems to indicate that the sickness is a natural phenomenon, brought on by the "germs" of sin. He implies that, as the Doctor, only He is able to return such a sick one to health.

One of the most notable aspects of this entire passage is the way Jesus builds the context. He is going to the sick, mixing in with them, touching them, connecting with them, and seemingly enjoying them as people. As the Doctor, He seems to take a special glee in taking His cure to the sickest around Him.

Before beginning this assignment, please review the following:
Spiritual Sickness and "Choice"
Spiritual Sickness and Transformation
Jesus as Physician
The Need for a Doctor

Assignment
Assignments:
For this assignment, reflect on the spiritual sickness you observe in the world around you. Based on Jesus' standard, who in your circle most needs the Doctor?

Using the Bible study tools on your course Resource page, your Questia.com materials, and your bibles, please respond to the following:

1.) Browse the Gospels and report on the number and type of encounters Jesus had with those who would be considered spiritually sick. As if you were a reporter for the "Jewish Times" of the day, create a story about this itinerant preacher who insists on hanging out with the dregs of society. Write in the tone of a news reporter, and be sure to tell both sides of the story – Jesus' side and the Pharisees' side.

2.) Reflect on Jesus' contention that "it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" as it relates to your own life and circumstances. In that He was specifically talking about the most notable of sinners, who is it that would be considered "the sick" in the world around you? Be specific – In our age, there is no shortage of sin masquerading as "choice" in its various forms. If Jesus were in your environment today—you neighborhood, your town, your county, your workplace—who would He recognize as "the sick" who need a doctor?

3.) Why did Jesus refer to "the healthy"? If we know that "all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God," who was Jesus referring to as "the healthy"? Who are "the healthy" in your environment today? Given Jesus' response to the sick of His day, what would be His response to "the healthy" in your world? (Be sure to be biblical in your response.)