(with 2 Timothy 4:9-11)
I. St. Luke was a physician. After a while he becomes a Christian physician. He becomes a physician to the souls as well as to the bodies of his fellow-men. And years after he had laboured for his Lord and Master by preaching the Gospel, and by his ministrations to the churches, St. Paul, whose great infirmities he doubtless had from time to time relieved, speaks of him as the beloved physician. It seems to me that in a Christian community, no one can be a physician in the fullest sense of the word, no one can have it in his power to minister to his ailing brothers and sisters with the utmost efficacy, unless he is a Christian. We require, in a physician, one who is able to deal both with the outward mechanism of our bodies, and to play upon the invisible chords of the spirit, which, as they vibrate harmoniously or discordantly, determine whether order or disorder shall prevail in the sphere of our spiritual nature. We require, indeed, that our physicians shall be large-hearted, sympathetic, Christian men.
II. But our affection and love go out to St. Luke, not only because he was the beloved physician and the beloved friend of the Apostle Paul, but also because he was an Evangelist. We have his writings enshrined in our Church's sacred Book. The only Gospel hymns which the Church possesses are those which St. Luke has preserved for us. The hymn of the Baptist's father, the Song of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Song of Simeon these are treasures which St. Luke has stored up for us in his holy Gospel.
III. The title "beloved physician" is St. Luke's for evermore. It is his title still. He is not severed from us. Heaven is no distant land, but lies all about the Lord's faithful ones. He who was once so true and faithful a servant of the Divine Physician of souls is a true and faithful servant now. He would not desire an idle and useless existence. He is glad to be one of those sent forth as ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation.
H. N. Grimley, Tremadoc Sermons,p. 55.
References: Colossians 4:11. E. W. Benson, Three Sermons,p. 1 Chronicles 4:14. Preacher's Monthly,vol. iv., p. 216; Homiletic Magazine,vol. viii., p. 9; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. ix., p. 148; F. D. Maurice, Sermons,vol. ii., p. 270; J. Sherman, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. iii., p. 47 2 Chronicles 4:17. Homiletic Magazine,vol. xi., p. 144; F. E. Paget, Sermons for Special Occasions,p. 141; R. W. Dale, Discourses on Special Occasions,p. 324.