The idea of a physician, when complete and considered apart from human imperfections, contains these three things: He must know the patient's constitution, his disease, and his cure. He must understand, (i.) what was the nature and capacity of the subject originally and before he was afflicted with disease; (ii.), the ailment under which he labours; and, (iii.) what will restore the diseased to health again. Jesus Christ knows
I. What was in man as he came at first from his Creator's hand. God made man upright, and that uprightness is known to Him on whom our help has been laid. The Son of God knew that the constitution of humanity admitted of complete communion with God, as a child in a father's bosom, and yet complete submission to God's will, as the creature of His hand.
II. What was in man when he had fallen. Knowing the character of the perfect work, the Saviour knows also the amount of damage that it has sustained. He knows, also, the gravity of man's sin, as an event affecting all the plans of God, and the government of all intelligent beings. As the defection of a chief carries away all that owned his sway, the fall of man affected the condition and prospects of the universal kingdom.
III. Knowing the original constitution and the subsequent disease of the patient, the Physician knew also what would restore him, and was able to apply the cure. Knowing the worth of man as God had made him, our Physician would not abandon the wreck; but knowing how complete the wreck was, He bowed His heavens and came down to save. He united Himself to us, became bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, that He might raise us up. He so knit Himself to His own on earth that if He should rise, so must they. Some lessons: (1) Speaking of the individual and of the unconverted, He knows what is in man, and yet He does not cast out the unclean. Lepers were not allowed to dwell among the people, but He who is holy, harmless, and undefiled, welcomes the leprous to His bosom. (2) Speaking now of His own disciples, He knows what is in them, and with that knowledge, it is because He is God and not man, that He does not shake them off. (3) He knows what is in man, and therefore can make His Word and providence suitable. His providences, although for the time they may seem mysterious, all work together for our good. (4) He knows what is in man in the secret chambers of each heart.
W. Arnot, The Anchor of the Soul,p. 125.
References: John 2:25. Homilist,vol. vi., p. 263; W. G. Horder, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxxii., p. 45.John 3:1. G. T. Coster, Ibid.,vol. xix., p. 61, John 3:1; John 3:2. T. Foster, Ibid.,vol. xviii., p 259; T. Hammond, Ibid.,vol. xiii., p. 165.John 3:1-3. J. Baldwin Brown, Ibid.,vol. xix., p. 136. John 3:1-11. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. ii., p. 18. John 3:1-15. Ibid.,p. 276; W. Landels, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxix., p. 33. Joh 3:1-16. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 199. John 3:1-17. Homilist,3rd series, vol. ii., p. 329. John 3:2. Christian World Pulpit,vol. iv., p. 181; Preacher's Monthly,vol. ix., p. 296; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. ii., p. 149.