PODCAST

The Extra Mile

August 14th, 2019

RG AUDIO 081419

Matthew 9:1-13

My daughter has a fairly rare skin condition. She has a mild case of it, so it almost never affects her life. Recently she needed surgery. Her skin condition meant that certain common types of anesthetic and pain medication could not be used during or after her surgery.

While preparing for surgery, two doctors helped us. One kept forgetting about her skin condition and was annoyed when we reminded him what medications she could not have. The other doctor was different. She carefully discussed different options with us. More than that, however, the doctor asked my daughter what animal she would like on her bandage after the surgery. The answer was, a frog with a crown. The surgeon went home that night and learned to draw a frog with a crown, and drew one on the bandage.

Jesus says, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Matt. 9:12b). Jesus came into the world to heal those who are sick with sin, and He calls us to help Him in His work. Let’s be like the second doctor and go the extra mile to make those who we are called to serve feel welcomed, loved, and appreciated.

Author: Steven Malcolm