The greatest Physician.
In Matthew 9:1–17, we see that when God heals His people, His deepest concern is not merely our physical condition though in His mercy, He can and does heal physically. Ultimately, He heals the deeper brokenness within us, the brokenness caused by sin.
This is the sin that has corrupted our souls since the fall. It enslaves us, leaving us like the paralytic. Unable to move, unable even to seek help on our own. It is sin why we feel separated from God and why He seems far away.
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But Jesus knows well our greatest need, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
Christ first declares the forgiveness of sins to those who believe and have faith in Him. Only then does true healing begin. When He calls people to repent, He is not only calling those whose sins are visible, but also those who think themselves “righteous.” Like a careful physician, He examines the heart, because He truly knows us.
Yet Jesus, the Righteous One, did more than simply diagnose our condition. He took our sin upon Himself. As it is written in the Book of Isaiah:
“He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Christ fulfilled this on the cross. He suffered and died in our place so that we might be fully healed — not outwardly, but completely reconcile us back to God for that is the only cure we need.
