Gunsmoke. The Brady Bunch. The Little House on the Prairie.
What ties together these different television shows, spanning over several decades?
House calls.
During the 1930’s and earlier, more than 40% of patient-doctor visits occurred within the home of the patients. Presently, this is nearly non-existent. However, some enterprising health care professionals are reviving this old tradition and there is evidence that some patients are availing of this new offering. Tired of long waits at doctors offices, emergency rooms and urgent care clinics, the health care provider making a house call has once more become a realistic option for patients.
In this day of managed care and independent physician networks, many patients long for a personalized relationship with their physician, yearning for the idealized life portrayed in these earlier television series. Physicians who choose this option are also seeking a closer relationship with their patients. No surprise, they are following in the path of our Great Physician, Jesus Christ.
After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.
Luke 4:38-39 (NLT)
When Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law, he was not yet His disciple. What a profound impact that must have made upon Simon Peter! A short time later, Jesus met Simon at a lake where he just returned from an unproductive evening of fishing. He directed Simon to cast his fishing nets into an area of the lake where he had not fished. Simon was clearly irritated by the suggestion, but he begrudgingly obeyed. The result was beyond his expectations!
“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
Luke 5:5-7 (NLT)
How did Simon respond to this meeting with Jesus?
…Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Luke 5:10-11 (NLT)
The relationship between Jesus Christ and Simon began with a house call to Simon’s mother-in-law. It led to Simon Peter becoming one of the closest disciples of Jesus. Jesus Christ, our Great Physician, understands the disease of sin that entraps our souls. He comes and meets us wherever we are in our lives: in our home, in our workplace, in our relationships. He knocks on the door to our hearts asking us to enter into a personal relationship with Him. When we allow Him to enter, He offers us the cure for our sins-salvation and eternal life.
Won’t you allow Jesus Christ to visit you and allow Him to make His home in your heart?
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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