#10 - Visit the Sick

Charles Spurgeon said, "I venture to say that the greatest earthly blessing that God can give to any of us is health, with the exception of sickness. Sickness has frequently been of more use to the saints of God than health has."You don't read too many books about sickness. But it happens to everyone and pretty frequently. I've never read a book on sickness but Visit the Sick by Brian Croft is a clear, straightforward and helpful book on this subject.

Croft begins by outlining the Scriptural principles regarding sickness, disease and suffering. He highlights 2 theological considerations behind these topics - God is sovereign over sickness and God calls His people to care for the needy and afflicted. Then, he outlines very specific pastoral and practical things to do when you visit the sick. My favorite was to make sure you have fresh breath.

This book had both depth and breadth, theology and practice, exhortation and encouragement - everything you'd want as a Christian to inspire you and help you visit the sick. I liked his emphasis that visiting the sick is not just for pastors, it's for Christians.

Sickness is not a misery but an opportunity to glorify God's character and His salvation.

• In the midst of sickness or affliction that someone in our church may be experiencing, we have the glorious privilege of pointing to a greater, divine and more significant reality than that person's physical circumstances. We can point to sickness and affliction as results of the Fall and to our dying bodies as reminders of our birth in sin. We can remind others that sickness was a means for God to discipline his chosen people that caused them to long for a Redeemer. We can rejoice that the signs of God's kingdom coming were the healings and restorations by the authority of the Son of God - a foretaste of what we will experience in full when Jesus returns and resurrection becomes a reality.

At this point in my life, I feel comfortable going to hospitals and nursing homes and visiting those who are sick and/or elderly. But I remember years ago, having to go to a nursing home during seminary as part of one of our service days. I had no experience in that type of thing and cannot recall ever being taught anything about how to do it. I surely didn't have a book like this which would have been extremely helpful (and it's still helpful today). But I did have a friend who was an experienced, caring pastor who took the lead as we went from room to room. He was a great example who impacted me with his love for the sick that day. Thanks Ken.