Step into the insights from the International Gospel Hour and explore how the teachings of Jesus continue to resonate even today. From His interactions with Levi the tax collector to His engagement with sinners, uncover how Jesus’ approach reveals His purpose as the great physician—not for the righteous, but for those who recognize their need for healing and change. With the unique ability to meet individuals where they are, Jesus provides us with a model of patience and compassion that stands timeless. Learn about the transformative power of faith, repentance, and obedience as we traverse through scriptural teachings that
It is the sweet hymn that says the great physician now is near the sympathizing Jesus. Today, friends, let’s look at the patients that need the great physician. That’s today from the International Gospel Hour. Please stay with us.
SPEAKER 02 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.
SPEAKER 03 :
Well, hello everybody and greetings to you. Thank you for being with us for our broadcast from International Gospel Hour. We are honored that you have joined us for our study today. In a few moments, you’ll hear again from our Jay Webb. He’ll have a few words about the International Gospel Hour app, as well as our free Bible course by mail. So stay tuned. You’ll hear from Jay shortly. I want to mention from the outset another free online tool that you can use. It is our friends at GospelGazette.com. That’s one word, Gospel Gazette. gospelgazette.com. That’s one Z and two Ts. When you get to that website, click on the Archive tab, and you’ll see over 25 years of articles that you may access absolutely free, written by faithful Christian men and women. So please check them out at gospelgazette.com. Our lesson text today comes from Mark chapter 2, verses 13 through 17. The Bible speaks of Jesus, Then he went out again by the sea, and all the multitudes came to him, and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, Follow me. So he arose and followed him. Now it happened as he was dining in Levi’s house that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to his disciples, How is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Let’s think about this text today as we talk about the patience of the great physician. But first, here’s a few words from our J. Webb.
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SPEAKER 03 :
Friends, let’s begin and note the patience of Jesus came to him. I mean, verse 13 is very simple. When Jesus went out again by the sea and all the multitude came to him and he taught them. They came. I mean, these were people that were coming. They gathered. The King James translation translates the word come as a resorted, or they resorted when they came to him. They resorted to him. Now, it’s interesting here as the translators could have looked at this word to come or to go with an indication that when they left, they were better than when they arrived. Further study has this word of coming as one coming to his or her senses indicating that change. And I think about resort, how they came to improve themselves, just like a resort would improve you and I with some vacation time. So when they came to Jesus, they chose to come. Let’s parallel that with Matthew 11, 28-30. When Jesus said, Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Friends, when we go to a doctor for our physical health, we can choose to do what the doctor says, or not choose to do so. If we decline, or we fail to go, we will suffer the consequences. The patients of the great physician come to him to get well, to take his teachings, his prescription, if you will. And when it is filled and used, it will make all the difference. We’re reminded of Matthew 5, verse 6. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. The patience of Jesus came to him. Second, the patience of Jesus left all. Take Levi, or as we also know him as Matthew. In verse 14, when Jesus passed by, he saw Levi, and sitting there, and said to him, Follow me. So he arose and followed him. As he passed by. You know, that’s an interesting phrase, because many of Jesus’ most wonderful deeds were accomplished in this impromptu manner. I mean, things arise and, well, that is the time to address it. The Lord was alert and so should we be the same way. There was no beating around the bush. And the choice of Levi or Matthew was astounding when you really think about it. I mean, this position was not the most popular of the public at the time. A tax collector and possibly also a rent collector. I mean, nobody likes paying taxes in renting, you know, not paid. Well, you’re gone today. But here is another rare ability, if you think about it. If you collect taxes, and apparently he was good at it, you could persuade others with a greater message. I mean, if there are complaints, he’s probably heard them all and addressed them. He’s prepped and ready for whatever may come his way as one chosen of Christ. Levi had responded as others had before, as we go back to Mark 1, verses 16-20. And like Levi or Matthew and his ability, let’s never forget, God created us, and he can also take our specific abilities and use them if we will let him. Like Levi, when Jesus says, follow, then we must do so. In Luke 9, 23, Jesus said to them all, If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Notice something third. The patients of Jesus are many. That means sinners. You know, none is righteous, no not one. Romans 3 verse 10. And all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3 verse 23. Many followed him. Individuals that are sick that need a Savior, Luke 19.10 and Matthew 1.21. And consider there is no indication these were engaging in the sin in front of Jesus. And of course Jesus was letting His light shine. Let’s go back to verse 15 where Jesus sat at meat, sat at a meal in Levi or Matthew’s house. You’ll also find this not only in Mark’s account, but in Luke 5, 27 and 28, and Matthew 9, verse 9. So he’s in Levi’s house, and many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him. Now, immediately Levi went to work. He hit the ground running, as we would say. Here is a meal for co-workers and friends, or the sinners here. And apparently the Pharisees had no time for either group, but Jesus did. Now imagine the meal atmosphere this one named Jesus is near. Levi, Matthew here, Levi has a new opportunity. It’s a pretty good time. And Jesus attracted people with no hope, people that were looked down upon, but they were people with a soul created in the image of God and they needed Christ. And the more they follow Christ, the more they hear, and the more they see, the less former life that they will have. You see, the physician needs to know his patients, and the patients need confidence in their physician so their lives can change. Will we be called by the gospel as in 2 Thessalonians 2 verse 14? Will we continue to be faithful as the called of the gospel in 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 15 when he told the Christians, Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word or our epistle. Fourth, the patience of Jesus need his prescription, and that is repentance. I mean, when Jesus heard what the Pharisees said, he said, 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. Friends, these scribes and Pharisees were critical of the Christ who spoke to the disciples, and Jesus heard it. Oh, wow, did that not catch attention? It’s like we’re speaking of someone and they walk up upon us. Jesus considered those searching sick, and they are ailing. They are looking. And Jesus had the prescription. Jesus’ answer also let the scribes and Pharisees know they needed called. Their self-righteousness among themselves had much to be desired. They were indeed sick, but their arrogance had them thinking they were well. You know, there were those who were critical, yet Jesus continued His purpose and His teaching and continued that message, the message to redeem man from sin and for man to clearly see he needs Christ and he cannot do it himself. You see, the great physician now is near, friends, and we are all His patients. So let us come, let us leave all, and the many of us need His prescription. Friends, can we help you further in your study as a patient of the great physician? I’m going to pause for our J-Web to share with you our most requested Bible course by mail.
SPEAKER 02 :
Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 03 :
Yes, dear friends, the great physician now is near and his prescription of repentance. Based upon the faith he commands in John 8, 24, let’s take that prescription of repentance and have it filled. Luke 13, verse 3, Confessing our faith in Christ, Romans 10, 9 and 10 and Matthew 10, 32 and 33. and the prescription of baptism according to His command in Mark 16, 16, Matthew 28, and verse 19. Let us do so, and let us continue together at another time. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
God be with you, still be near. Thank you for listening today. May this study prompt your search of God’s Word for His will in your life. To assist you in your study or to listen to our other programs, please visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com. To God be the glory.
