The Medical Missionary’s Example
[
The Review and Herald, June 9, 1904
.]
In the days of Christ there were no sanitariums in the Holy Land.
But wherever the Great Physician went, He carried with Him the
healing efficacy that was a cure for every disease, spiritual and physical.
This He imparted to those who were under the afflicting power of the
enemy. In every city, every town, every village through which He
passed, with the solicitude of a loving father He laid His hands upon
the afflicted ones, making them whole and speaking words of tenderest
sympathy and compassion. How precious to them were His words!
From Him flowed a stream of healing power which made the sick
whole. He healed men and women with unhesitating willingness and
with hearty joyfulness, for He was glad to be able to restore suffering
ones to health.
Anxiety of His Family
The Mighty Healer worked so incessantly, so intensely,—and often
without food,—that some of His friends feared He could not much
longer endure the constant strain. His brothers heard of this, and
also of the charge brought by the Pharisees that He cast out devils
through the power of Satan. They felt keenly the reproach that came
upon them through their relation to Jesus. They decided that He must
be persuaded or constrained to cease His manner of labor, and they
induced Mary to unite with them, thinking that through His love for
her they might prevail upon Him to be more prudent.
Jesus was teaching the people when His disciples brought the
message that His mother and His brothers were without and desired
to see Him. He knew what was in their hearts, and “He answered and
[527]
said unto him that told Him, Who is My mother? and who are My
brethren? And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and
said, Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do
543