By David Cranford
“We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the LORD has punished him for the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6, CSB)
Slick Willie Sutton was an infamous bank robber. Estimates are that he stole over 2 million dollars from banks during his career. A reporter asked Slick Willie, “Why do you rob banks?” Slick Willie reportedly said, “I rob banks because that’s where the money is.” Although he later denied saying it, nobody can deny his logic, which came to be known as “Sutton’s law.”
The simplest answer to the question “Why did Jesus come to earth on that first Christmas?” is that Jesus came to earth because that’s where the need is. “What love is this?” It is a love that is prescribed to meet our deepest personal need. Just as medicine is prescribed to meet our physical illness, Jesus the Savior is prescribed to meet our spiritual illness.
Jeremiah was crushed by the condition of his people. “I am broken by the brokenness of my dear people. I mourn; horror has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? So why has the healing of my dear people not come about?” (Jeremiah 8:21–22, CSB)
Can’t you shake your head and agree with Jeremiah? Aren’t you broken by the brokenness of our dear people and our land? Don’t you feel a sense of grief, horror and mourning over what we’ve become?
There is a prescription for the illness. There is a balm in Gilead. There is a Great Physician. Healing can come about. This week, look around and observe and see all of the evidence for our need. Meditate on the prescribed love of Jesus that brings the healing we need.
David Cranford is senior pastor of the First Baptist Church, Ponchatoula. This editorial first appeared on his blog that features Advent devotionals that can be accessed here.
