A Short Sermon by H. A. St. John

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 18, 1913

A Short Sermon

By H. A. St. John

Physicians

H. A. ST. JOHN

“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Ps. 103: 3.

By far, Jesus was the greatest physician the world ever knew. It seems to me that this must be conceded by every one. He practised in many places, had many hundreds of cases, and we know not a single instance of his losing a case. He was not a specialist, but succeeded equally well in healing all kinds of disease. The leper, deaf, dumb, blind, lame, and deformed all found in Christ a physician fully equal to their greatest need. He healed every one that came to him, and the cure was quick, radical, and complete. They were made every whit whole. All his healing was by the power of God through the ministration of holy angels. Only a touch, and darkened eyes could see his smiling face. Only a touch, and deafened ears could hear his words of grace. He needed not to make a diagnosis of any case, for he had but one remedy for all, and that was infallible.

The work of healing the sick is an important element in the science of salvation. Christ’s great commission to his church and children, to the end of the world, includes healing the sick as he healed them. It is an important part of the glorious gospel to a sinful and sickly world, and the Lord is disappointed and robbed of his glory when the gospel is preached and practised only in part. Christ has all power in heaven and earth today, and he is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

To the early Christian church, from Pentecost onward for a season, the great gospel commission was fully accepted, and acted upon. The disciples of Jesus, filled with the Holy Ghost and the power of living faith, went forth preaching the gospel and healing the sick, just as they had heard and seen Jesus do when they were in the school of Christ. But alas, then came a falling away through apostasy and false teaching, and living faith and power were lost.

But we are comforted with the assurance that the remnant church of the Christ will soon be anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power, as was her divine Lord, and go forth to all the world, with a whole gospel. The great commission will be fully accepted and obeyed; all its glorious promises will be fully verified to them; and earth will be lightened with the glory of God.