“I’m absolutely overwhelmed!” exclaimed Ted McPhillips. “I don’t know where the money came from!” His wife added that “a great burden has been lifted from our minds.” These were the comments of this amazed English couple on hearing that their hospital bill had been “paid in full.” Mr. McPhillips had experienced a serious heart attack 24 hours after arriving in New York City from London. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors performed open-heart surgery and saved his life.
The grateful and relieved couple had just received word that someone had paid the $80,000. hospital bill. They had only been able to pay $7,000 towards it. They had come up short in their desire to pay the debt and another had stepped in to pay it. A hospital spokesman confirmed that McPhillip’s bill had been paid, but would not say by whom.
Mr. McPhillips had his heart repaired. God has something even better to give each of us—“a new heart.” “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:2626A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26). In order for Mr. McPhiips to have his heart repaired, a price had to be paid. This expense was far too great for him to pay alone: he needed the help of another.
Mr. McPhillips had paid a small amount of his debt to the hospital, but we could pay nothing on our debt of sin. God has seen our need. His word says that “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). He has also prided a remedy: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12). He has done it all; He has seen our great need and supplied the remedy, all “without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:11Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1).
ML-06/08/1980