The Holistic Ministry of God

And he [Jesus] went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. (Matthew 4:23–25 ESV).

 

The next word for us to reflect upon is a word we might not hear very often: holistic. If you have heard it used, I doubt it was in the context of God’s call to ministry. Holistic ministry is a comprehensive approach to helping people that addresses their spiritual, physical, emotional, and social needs in an integrated way. It recognizes that a person is a whole being and that their well-being is interconnected, aiming for transformation in all aspects of life, not just spiritual guidance. Examples include providing not only spiritual counsel but also support for basic needs like food and shelter, as well as emotional support, education, and community development.

 

It’s one thing to think about a definition. It’s a whole other thing to see it in action. That’s what we read about as Matthew describes the ministry of Jesus in our reading today. Imagine what it would have been like to experience Jesus’ work for yourself. No wonder the good news of Jesus spread everywhere!

 

Everything I have mentioned in the last few days as a mission concept befitting the greatness of God’s work shows up in this passage: gospel (good news), witness, and holistic. Jesus proclaims the good news of the kingdom of God. People who experience Jesus see first-hand his goodness and bring others to meet him. And we see the holistic ministry of Jesus “healing every disease and sickness.” People are set free in every part of their lives.

 

The Psalmist provides a succinct focus: “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Psalm 96:3). This is what holistic mission is all about. We live in a world that desperately needs to experience the loving and healing touch of Jesus in every area of their life! We can bring the news of that love and healing to them. Will you?