“Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgression; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed,” (Isaiah 53:4-5).
There’s no question who the prophet Isaiah is talking about here. This is the suffering servant, God’s Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. This passage is one of the clearest in the Bible about what Jesus has done for us. It’s crystal clear, and it’s simple. Jesus paid it all. Isaiah tells us he has borne grief and carried sorrow. He was pierced for our transgressions, even crushed. He was punished. He was wounded. Jesus is the suffering servant. He was absolutely afflicted. Upon him was placed the chastisement of all that brought us peace, and by his wounds we have been healed. We have done nothing and we can do nothing. Jesus paid it all.
In Jesus Name Medical Ministry comes to a church in a community with doctors, nurses, x-ray technicians, physical therapists and massage therapists to bear the griefs and sorrows of people in need of medical care. It’s all free because Jesus has paid it all. They don’t come for money. They don’t come to get new patients into their practice. They don’t come to get their name in the newspaper. They don’t come because the government tells them to come or they get a tax write-off. They come in the name of Jesus who paid it all.
Several years ago a Christian doctor in our community saw the need and the opportunity to reach out and help people who needed medical care who weren’t receiving it. He wanted to do it in Jesus’ name. He didn’t do it for money. He didn’t do it to build up his practice. He did it because Jesus had paid it all for him. Today, there are more doctors and nurses who have joined him with the same attitude and purpose. They see patients freely without the pressure of time or the government rules handing over them. They see patients in need of care because they want to freely give.
Today, doctors and nurses will be at Silver Hills Community Church on Mallory Way. They will see patients for free from 9 a.m. to noon. It’s free. They will see people who have no insurance. They will see people who have high deductibles. There will be free clothing and personal toiletries available as well. A free lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Would you come? Would you invite someone else to come? Would you tell someone who needs medical care?
Ben Fleming is the pastor of Silver Hills Community Church.