Faithful on Fridays Blog

Scene Three

Luke’s medical training taught him to use empirical evidence when diagnosing and treating patients; meaning, he relied on gathering data by observation and experience in order to find the best treatment for sickness and disease. What he heard about Jesus’ approach must’ve blown his mind since it was based on God’s power to heal. Who did he interview for all the healings he recorded? The patient, the disciples, other observers? Without his own empirical evidence Luke relied on the clinical observations that were reported, as well as the outcomes. 

Take Peter’s mother-in-law, for example (5:38-39), she had a high fever, not simply a fever as the other gospels record, but a mega-fever, seizure-producing, which needed immediate care. What was Jesus’ treatment plan? He simply rebuked the fever and it left her. That must’ve been a hard pill for Luke to swallow so his interviewees continued. He met a man full of leprosy, not simply a leper as the others again record, but he was a hopeless Stage 4 victim. “Lord, if You will, You can make me clean.” Jesus response? “I will.” And He did … that was only the beginning.

Jesus also connected with people spiritually as we find in Chapter 5 when Simon (Peter) himself undoubtedly recounted to Luke his salvation testimony. Only Luke records Peter falling at Jesus’ knees, declaring his sinful state, becoming a follower of Christ, and a few years later becoming the first Leader of this new movement called the Church (Acts 2:14). 

Luke’s unique perspective is also seen in the words he used to describe Jesus as the Healer. In 6:18 he chose two words that both mean healed, and yet different from a medical perspective. The word ‘heal’ indicates a supernatural, often instantaneous restoration of wholeness to one’s body. The second word ‘cured’ is where we get the word ‘therapy’, meaning restoring to health using a treatment plan and often attending to a patient out of compassion. In this case Jesus, the Great Physician, was healing everyone who came to Him, including those who were demon-possessed. Jesus cured them as dunamis power was released. Did He follow-up with a treatment plan explaining how the unclean spirits entered, did He expose the demons and cast them out? We don’t know, but using the word cured implies He showed more compassionate care. 

As a doctor Luke must’ve been amazed at the various supernatural encounters Jesus had with those in need of healing. We can be sure of one thing, Jesus treated the sick with whatever method His Father told Him to use. His prayer vigils (6:12) shows us that He relied on God the Father for direction and the Spirit for empowerment. That should be the same for us. We can’t put limits on God, expecting Him to heal the same way every time, but we can ask for healing and a cure … whatever that looks like. Luke’s unique perspective gives us hope and encouragement of God’s unending care and love.