TEAMS for Medical Missions

PO Box 215 ~ Macungie, PA 18062

Feeding Jesus

Matthew 25:34-40

Sharing the gospel clearly is required if people are going to understand and accept the good news of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:13,14 tells us that unless the gospel is heard, a person cannot believe and be saved, making speaking the gospel paramount. But is speaking all that is required of us – or are we called to actually do the gospel? 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 calls us ambassadors for Christ – we represent Him to those around us. In order to represent Christ well, we need to think like Jesus thinks, act like Jesus acts, do what Jesus does.

So what is the good news of Jesus Christ? 1 Timothy 1:15 tells us that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He came to redeem us and restore us. Colossians 1:13,14 and Hebrews 9:12 speak to our redemption and forgiveness of sins. Redeemed – bought back by the blood of Jesus Christ. Forgiven – the penalty of our sins removed from us, and the restoration of a renewed relationship with God provided. Restoration – such a big word, encompassing every aspect of our lives. Luke 4:18,19 tell us that the gospel is about the restoration of our body, soul, and spirit. In John 10:10 Jesus tells us He came that we might have life and that we might live it abundantly. Romans 8:18-22 tells us creation itself is groaning, waiting for its own restoration. The gospel is not just about our final destination, it is about the restoration of all things back to their original design. Jesus is about holistic ministry and calls us to be about holistic ministry.

Jamaica, like the rest of us, is desperately in need of the Savior. They are also desperately in need of the Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Healer, Counselor, Son of God, Provider – they need Jesus. Scripture tells us that healing the sick, feeding the hungry, meeting physical/emotional/spiritual needs were all part of Jesus’ ministry. He not only provided the way back to God, but He also gave them a taste of what restoration will be like. It is true that Jesus did not heal everyone He came in contact with, or wipe out poverty, or feed all who were hungry, or make all things right – but one day all things will be made right, just not yet. In the meantime, we too are to provide a taste of what restoration will be like.

God’s heart is for people. His desire is for their complete restoration. Matthew 25:34-40 gives us a glimpse into the heart of God. Jesus is speaking of the end times when He separates those who have put their trust in Him from those who have not. One of the characteristics of those who have put their trust in Him is that they cared for His people – feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing those without shelter, visiting the sick or incarcerated. And Jesus said that when these things were done to them, it was the same as doing it to Him. James 2:15-17 says if you see someone in need of clothing and food and say, “Be warmed and filled” and yet do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Faith without works is dead – useless.

God has called each of us to holistic ministry. For us it looks like providing free quarterly medical clinics in St. Mary, Jamaica where we serve as the family doctor for about 1,000 people. It looks like building homes for those in critical need of shelter. It looks like training men and women how to study the Word of God and disciple and train others. It looks like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the shut-in – all the while speaking the good news of Jesus Christ clearly and begging them on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. And when I say us, I mean you, because we could not do any of this ministry without volunteers, prayer warriors, and financial backers. If you are not part of this ministry, while you continue to minister where you are, consider joining us in Jamaica on a J-Team – we would love to share our ministry with you in person. It is a blast to serve Jesus and to exercise useful faith! Come join us in feeding Jesus, clothing Jesus, housing Jesus, visiting Jesus.