The Great Physician

Reclaimed Wood Cross, Vintage Hand Woven Native American Rug, Leather Medicine Bag, Carved Wood Dragonfly, 1800’s English Bible, Iron Nails, Waxed Linen Thread, Nepalese Paper, Ethiopian Coptic Stitching
18"W X 24"H X 4"D

The theme of this Sacred Structure is that of healing. At the center of the cross is a vintage leather New Mexican Navajo Medicine Bag, used to carry healing herbs and plants by the tribal Medicine Man or Shaman. Even those without healing powers would wear medicine bags around their necks filled with items that represented their helping and healing Spirits. Attached to the bag is a beautifully carved and painted Zuni dragonfly, a medicine animal and symbol of healing and transformation in the Southwest Pueblo cultures.

Several times in Scripture, either directly or indirectly, Jesus alludes to Himself as a physician. Most notably by Luke, who himself was a physician. “They that are whole have no need of a physician; but they that are sick. I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance" (Luke 5: 31-32). "He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted" (Luke 4:18). Jesus is often referred to as The Great Physician because he healed both spiritual and physical afflictions, such as, healing the blind, deaf, lame and demon possessed, and even raised the dead. In order that we appreciate a physician, and avail ourselves of the benefits of his skill, we must have faith in him. Such must be our faith in the Great Physician that we apply to Him for the treatment of a sin-sick soul.