Last fall, I took a course called CHE (community health evangelism). The part I appreciate the most were actually the devotionals held each morning regarding Jesus’ life and ministry. He is a great example of balancing these two aspects of ministry. Of course when he dealt with health needs, he actually healed people. (This is something we attempt to do with prayer and medicine but are not always successful.)
Matthew 9: 35-36
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
What strikes me as I read of his encounters with people, is his great compassion for them. He did not only preach and teach but he also healed them physically.
As a woman who loves to teach God’s word and feels largely inadequate to treat those that come to my door, I would find it much easier to just focus on one ministry. But, if we do not show compassion for the physical suffering of the Gumuz, will they actually believe that we love them and that we have come with a greater message of healing?
After two intense days of biblical teaching, we have had to focus on some physical needs. We trust that as we show compassion for both needs, there would be fruit and that the Lord would be glorified.
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