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The Ministry of Health and Healing
We shall find His footprints beside the sickbed, in the homes of the
poor, in the crowded streets of the great cities, and in every place
where there are human hearts in need of consolation.
We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the
suffering and afflicted. We are to minister to the despairing and
inspire hope in the hopeless.
The love of Christ, manifested in unselfish ministry, will be more
effective in reforming criminals than will the night stick or the court
of justice. These are necessary to strike terror to the lawbreaker,
but loving missionaries can do more than this. Often the heart that
hardens under reproof will melt under the love of Christ.
[50]
Missionaries can not only relieve physical illnesses, they can
lead sinners to the Great Physician, who can cleanse the soul from
the leprosy of sin. Through His servants, God designs that the sick,
the unfortunate, and those possessed of evil spirits shall hear His
voice. Through His human agencies He desires to be a comforter
such as the world knows not.
The Savior has given His precious life in order to establish a
church capable of ministering to the suffering, the sorrowful, and
the tempted. A company of believers may be poor, uneducated,
and unknown, yet in Christ they may do a work in the home, in the
community, and even in “the regions beyond,” whose results shall
be as far-reaching as eternity.
To Christ’s followers today, no less than to the first disciples,
these words are spoken: “‘All authority has been given to Me in
heaven and on earth. Go therefore, and make disciples of all the
nations.’” “‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature.’”
Matthew 28:18, 19
;
Mark 16:15
.
And for us also is the promise of His presence, “‘Lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:20
.
Today no curious multitudes flock to the desert to see and hear
Christ. His voice is not heard in the busy streets. No cry sounds from
the wayside, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
Luke 18:37
. Yet
this word is true today. Christ walks unseen through our streets. He
comes to our homes with messages of mercy. He waits to cooperate
with all who are seeking to minister in His name. He is in the midst
of us, to heal and to bless, if we will receive Him.