Nearly 700 passengers and crew became very ill aboard Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship Explorer of the Seas. Many vacationers spent a few days in their rooms or in the infirmary because of a suspected virus that caused vomiting, diarrhea and pain. Their trip to the Caribbean was cut short, and the ship returned to its home port Wednesday.

The cruise industry has become very cautious about preventing the spread of disease. My wife and I recently returned from a cruise, and we noticed the precautions that were taken to guard against outbreaks of illnesses. For the first 2 days of the cruise, passengers could not serve themselves from the buffet. Instead, crew members, wearing gloves, served the food. Passengers were encouraged to wash their hands frequently, and hand sanitizer was available at numerous locations. They did everything they could to prevent the spread of disease.

The spiritual disease of sin has spread throughout the human race, infecting everyone. Though we may take many precautions to prevent sin, the only cure is to turn to Jesus. He went to the cross and took all of our sins upon himself. In a sense, Jesus went to the infirmary so that we could be healed.

“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”—Isaiah 53:4-5.