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What’s the Difference Between a Heart Surgeon and a Mechanic?
Recently, our sister Tammy Cottrell posted this ditty on her Facebook page.
A motorcycle mechanic was removing a cylinder-head from a Harley when he spotted a well-known cardiologist in the shop. The heart doctor was waiting for the service manager when the mechanic shouted across the garage “Hey Doc, come take a look at this!”
The cardiologist, a bit surprised, walked over to where the mechanic was working. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and said, “So Doc, look at this engine. I open it up, take the valves out, repair any damage, and then put it back together, and when I finish, it will work just like new.”
“Good work,” said the doctor.
Then the mechanic said, “So how come I get $1,000 for this job, but you get a 100 times more when we’re basically doing the same work?”
The cardiologist paused, smiled and leaned over, “Try doing it with the engine running.”
God’s specialty is heart surgery. In Acts 8:12-24 we see an example of God’s expertise.
And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."
God had already performed heart surgery on this man. In verses 9-13 this same Simon had a heart eaten up with selfishness. He practiced sorcery. He deceived people into thinking he was someone great in order to get their money. His heart was rotten.
But when he heard Phillip preaching God’s truth, and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, Simon underwent heart surgery. He had all his sins washed away through baptism (Acts 8:13; 22:16).
Soon after his first surgery Simon fell into his old habits. It was these old [sinful] habits that had led to the need for the first surgery. Peter diagnosed Simon’s condition by saying, “…your heart is not right in the sight of God.” He had been “…poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
Peter informed Simon about the need for a second procedure. Peter’s instructions were, “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.” Simon gave his consent for this procedure by asking Peter to pray for him that none of these things would come upon him.
When it comes to [spiritual] heart surgery, who would you trust to perform the procedure? A motorcycle mechanic, or the #1 heart surgeon in existence?
God is willing to perform heart surgery on all who come to Him in faith, repenting of their iniquity, confessing that Jesus is His Son. Then the surgery takes place when a person is washed clean in baptism. Colossians 2:12 says, “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Jesus is the ultimate and eternal proof of God’s expertise.
