Jer 8:20 “The harvest is past, The summer is ended, And we are not saved!” For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; Astonishment has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery For the health of the daughter of my people?
As the prophet considers the impending doom of his people, he ponders a heart wrenching thought, “My people are not saved.” He hurts with the hurt of his people. Then he asks, “Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there?” The situation in both Israel and Judah is hopeless. They are on the brink of destruction and there is no physician, no soothing balm and no healing. Later in Jer. 33:6-9 he prophesies, “Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild those places as at the first. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.”
The inspired prophet tells Judah that the Lord will deliver the city of Jerusalem over to the Chaldeans and destroy their houses and the army of Israel replaced by dead bodies. This is the result of God’s wrath on a rebellious nation. But then the beautiful promise of healing is made, “Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.” They will return and their sins and iniquities will be cleaned. In the midst of tragedy stands a rainbow of God that promises healing to His people. An abundance of peace and truth will be revealed to them. Who has the power to administer such healing? Only the Greatest Physician can provide the balm and the healing of His people.” In Luke 4, following the temptations of Jesus, He visits a synagogue. “And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED; TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing,”” Luke 4:17-21. Jesus was anointed by the Father to preach to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives. No longer must we say “the summer is ended and we are not saved!” A Savior was born and He died to save us from our sins and iniquities. His generous love is extended to all men. When His disciples were questioned by the Pharisees concerning His habit of eating with tax collectors and sinners, this was said in Matt. 9:12-13: “When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””
Song-THE GREAT PHYSICIAN-William Hunter/J.H. Stockton
“The great Physician now is near, the sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer, O hear the voice of Jesus.”