Healing Place

A prostitute in Chicago was at the end of her rope. She was sick, homeless, unable to buy food for her child, and struggled with drug addiction. When someone suggested that she go to church, with absolute shock and dismay on her face, she replied, “Church! Why would I ever go there? I already feel terrible about myself. They’d just make me feel worse.”

This story breaks my heart because women like that prostitute ran toward Jesus, not away from Him. They saw Him as a place of refuge, not ridicule. This is not to say that Jesus overlooked their sins, but He first extended compassion. He knew that you had to love them before you could lead them. Why then does the church seem to reek of “sinner repellent?” Why do people like that prostitute see us as a closed fist rather than an open hand?

The church is to be a hospital for sinners. We are here to help those who are hurting. We do that by being gentle and merciful to them, and by pointing them toward the “Great Physician.” This will open the door for any correction that needs to be made.

The church is to be the true “healing place.” It is where the sad, sick, sinful, and struggling come to find Jesus. They need to know that we genuinely care about them and want to help. Instruction will come; correction may be necessary; but love comes first!