esus understood that sickness involves more than being physically ill. Many of His followers have observed, for instance, that sour stomachs make for sour souls. Ever since the incident in the Garden of Eden our dispositions have been affected by our diet. Although there was nothing poisonous in the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve filched in Eden, symbolically it contained the deadliest poison of all—self-will and lack of self-control.

Eating that one piece of fruit expressed our first parents’ rebellion against the only way that life in this universe can function successfully—God’s way. In that seemingly innocuous incident we find the root cause of all the disease, destruction, and death that inevitably followed, as well as a clear demonstration that physical, psychoemotional, and spiritual well-being are so interrelated that whatever affects one dimension affects the others.

Jesus not only demonstrated what it means to be a whole person, but also related to others as whole persons. In this respect He was far different from those who perpetuate the fragmentation of body, mind, and soul that is so prevalent today. Yet even in this era of the unprecedented fragmentation of humans and human society, the concept of wholeness and an emphasis on the whole person seems to be regaining ground. There is an increasing recognition that, transfixed by the transient toys of technology, people have become the victims of their own exploitation. The information explosion has combined with instant communication and a “buy now, suffer later” climate to the place that many are dedicated solely to accumulating more and more of what proves to be less and less.

But “nowness” does not make for a happier and healthier society. Instead, we see that a tragic dehumanization characterizes our culture. For instance, in some schools students have become mere numbers on punch cards. Several years ago a canine hanger-on was matriculated successfully at the University of California at Berkeley, and given a grade in a class characterized by wall-to-wall “nameless” attendants.

Cancerlike sores of the spirit have broken out in all ranks of society. No wonder people are heartsick over the massive manipulation and myopic overspecialization of our age. No wonder there is a restless, endless search for something that can put the fragmented pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of life together again. Today a more than superficial nostalgia for that which has been lost is leading many to examine once again the lifestyle of the Teacher sent by God 2,000 years ago.

The “Wholeness” Commission
The wholeness of Jesus’ lifestyle underlined the commission He gave His followers to make humans whole, not just to attempt to fix certain hurting or malfunctioning parts. After Jesus gave His “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” invitation to the fishermen by the sea (Matt. 4:19), He “went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (verse 23).

Here we see Christ’s balanced emphasis on teaching, preaching, and healing. Teaching, of course, has to do primarily with the mind, preaching with the spirit, and healing with the body. In this connection, note a most interesting statement from the health classic The Ministry of Healing: “During His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching.”¹

Why did Jesus place such importance on ministry to the physical needs of those who came to Him for help? Certainly it was not because the body is more important than the spirit. He was aware that body, mind, and spirit are so interrelated that what affects one affects the other. But He also was aware that the body provides the avenues to the soul through the physical senses and the brain nerves, Thus it was essential that He cleared up people’s physical problems in order to make the most effective spiritual impact through His follow-up teaching ministry.

Jesus Commenced His Work by
Beginning Where the Ruin Began
Immediately following the statement that Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching, the author of The Ministry of Healing added: “His miracles testified to the truth of His words, that He came not to destroy, but to save. Wherever He went, the tidings of His mercy preceded Him. Where He had passed, the objects of His compassion were rejoicing in health and making trial of their newfound powers. Crowds were collecting around them to hear from their lips the works that the Lord had wrought. His voice was the first sound that many had ever heard, His name

the first word they had ever spoken, His face the first they had ever looked upon. Why should they not love Jesus and sound His praise? As He passed through the towns and cities He was like a vital current, diffusing life and joy.”²

Christ knew that in order to carry forward the plan of salvation successfully He must commence the work of redeeming humanity just where the ruin began. Adam’s fall was brought on by indulgence of appetite. Therefore, Christ began His work by reforming the physical habits. When Jesus sent the 70 out to begin their missionary labors, He directed that physical health was to be cared for first so that the way would then be prepared for the disciples’ target audience who would hear the truths that they would then preach (Luke 10:9). When the people’s physical needs were satisfied and health had been restored, their hearts were filled with gratitude, and it was easier for the good seed of truth to lodge there.

Jesus’ true followers today will no more be able to pass up those in need of loving care and ministry than was Jesus. It would be easier for a broomstick to develop blood blisters than it was for Jesus to pass by those in great need. “Varied were the needs and circumstances of those who besought His aid, and none who came to Him went away unhelped. From Him flowed a stream of healing power, and in body and mind and soul men were made whole.

“The Saviour’s work was not restricted to any time or place. His compassion knew no limit. On so large a scale did He conduct His work of healing and teaching that there was no building in Palestine large enough to receive the multitudes that thronged to Him. On the green hill slopes of Galilee, in the thoroughfares of travel, by the seashore, in the synagogues, and in every other place where the sick could be brought to Him, was to be found His hospital. In every city, every town, every village, through which He passed, He laid His hands upon the afflicted ones and healed them.”³

Following Christ’s Example
Can we do what Jesus did? Can we minister as He ministered? Certainly we can, and should. His example would have no meaning if it were impossible for us to follow. The Gospel of Mark—the Gospel of action and power—tells us how we can do what Jesus did. Mark reveals the secret of His power: “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Mark 1:35).

When we learn to pray as He prayed, we will be able to live and minister as He lived and ministered. We will receive the power that He received and promised to us. (See Matt. 28:18; Acts 1:8.) Mark mentions that at the disciples’ ordination Jesus gave them power to heal sickness of all kinds (Mark 3:14, 15). Jesus promised the same power to His disciples throughout the Christian Era.

As was already noted, “there was no building in Palestine large enough to receive the multitudes that thronged to” Jesus. When we take full advantage of the power that Christ promised (and He can trust us with it), when we begin to minister as He did to the felt needs of the people about us, when these people begin to see that their welfare is our primary interest, then it will also be true of God’s last-day people that auditoriums, amphitheaters, and public buildings will not be large enough to hold the multitudes that will flock to us to be made whole in body, mind, and spirit.

This should lead us to realize that we are not presently measuring up to our potential. In fact, many are not aware that this is our potential. In working with churches in health evangelism programs for the past 40 years, I have become painfully aware of how limited a view most of us have as to what the Lord expects from us in medical missionary work. That this is true was highlighted in a report one of my students presented on a field project he initiated in his local church. Recognizing that he had to have their understanding and support before launching a community health program, he distributed a questionnaire to the members of his large city church, and followed it up with personal interviews. He was shocked to discover the following facts:

1. The health evangelism approach was not being used by the church.

2. Most members were not even aware that this evangelistic method existed.

3. There seemed to be a great indifference to the Adventist health message on the part of the members of the church.

4. Many saw no relationship between health and religion.

5. Many felt that health was not emphasized in the Bible—only in the Spirit of Prophecy.

6. Some stated that they thought health reform was only for those who had been in the church for 20 years or more.

7. Many feared that they would have to give up all their bad health habits before they could become involved in health evangelism outreach, and were unwilling to do so.

The pastor was able to put together a team of five interested young people who began to work with him in health outreach to the community. They found the community quite responsive. Isn’t it strange that we have come to a time when the world about us is more responsive to the health message that God has given us than are many Adventists? Obviously, so many who sit in our pews look upon the health message God gave for the improvement and blessing of His church as being something bitter rather than the something better it is in reality.

The More Abundant Life
Jesus put the entire gospel in its proper perspective when He stated, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). It is this more abundant life with which God longs to bless us. But it does not come through physical means alone. Jesus’ reference to the more abundant life includes all that God wants to do for us—the restoration of body, mind, and soul to the image of God.

When Seventh-day Adventists understand fully the great principles of our message—which is a whole message for a whole world designed to make people whole again—they cannot expect to go on living just as the world does. The more we appreciate the abundant lifestyle God has made possible for us, the more we will show our gratitude to God by living up to our great potential. Whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we will do it to the glory of God (see 1 Cor. 10:31).

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¹ Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 19.
² Ibid., pp. 19, 20.
³ Ibid., pp. 17, 18.

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Leo R. Van Dolson is a retired minister and teacher. He is a former associate editor of the Adventist Review and editor of the adult Sabbath school lessons.