DIAGNOSIS AND PERMANENT TREATMENT:  Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”   Years ago when I practiced and taught neurology and neurosurgery at the TAMU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, it was imperative that I made the correct diagnosis and followed up with the best treatment for the specific diagnosis.  If not, the patient might not recover or even live.  The applied treatment must always match the accuracy of the diagnosis.  It is no different in the spiritual diagnosis and treatment of every man who has ever or will ever live.  The diagnosis is very clear: “All have gone astray and turned to his own way.”  This is the accurate diagnosis of every man and there are no exceptions as found in our classic Scripture this week.

The treatment is permanent when we accept what Jesus did for us on the cross where God laid the iniquity (diagnosis of sin) on Jesus.  In medicine, there may at times be only one treatment or cure for the disease diagnosed.  In life, there is only one permanent treatment and that is Jesus Christ.  It is a specific treatment for a specific diagnosis.  In medicine, some people may not accept the diagnosis or the treatment and consequences will lead to death.  Unfortunately, people will seek alternatives and not accept the prescribed treatment.  In life, God’s treatment is free, permanent and eternal.  In medicine, the treatment may require continuous medication at a high cost.  God’s one-time treatment of salvation is free, but it did not come cheaply.  His Son paid the price in full and no refills are needed.  You may find this analogy helpful when talking to your children or someone who does not have much background knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of sin for mankind.  Remember that Jesus is the Great Physician.